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Buggs covers the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club for CleatGeeks.com
Buggs covers the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club for CleatGeeks.com
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Josh Watford covers the Atlanta Braves and Boxing for CleatGeeks.com
Josh Watford covers the Atlanta Braves and Boxing for CleatGeeks.com
Sports Articles/Reports
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Thursday, September 28, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Being a Major League Soccer expansion team, you would expect the Atlanta United to have a season of many firsts. But, last night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the United did something for the first time that was much more special than anything else they did for the first time, by becoming just the third expansion team in Major League Soccer history to reach the playoffs with a dominant 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
2* Last night in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, the Atlanta Braves took a 7-1 loss from the Mets, in the last Major League Baseball game to be played at Citi Field this season.
The Braves will now begin a season-ending four game series in Miami, when taking on the Marlins at 7:10 ET tonight.
Starting on the bump in this first game of this series for the Braves will be right-hand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Marlins will be starting left-hand pitcher Dillon Peters.
3* The UGA swimming teams opened their 2017-18 season yesterday by sweeping Emory in a relays-only meet at the Madeleine Jude Brown Aquatic Center.
The UGA women posted a 40-21 decision in winning their 16th consecutive season opener, while the UGA men claimed a 38-23 victory. Jack Bauerle, Georgia’s Tom Cousins head swimming and diving coach, is now a perfect 42-0 versus Emory.
4* The Atlanta Dream have announced that they will partner with Atlanta-based Intersect Partners.
The two-organizations will work together to build relationships around the local Atlanta community and pursue a marquee partnership for the Dream franchise.
Intersect Partners, launched in 2016, is a privately held company in the business of creating loyal, long-term partnerships for organizations and their business partners.
5* At 8:30 ET tonight, live on CBS, you can see the Green Bay Packers host an arch rival from their division, that being the NFC North, when they take on the Chicago Bears, at Lambeau Field.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Being a Major League Soccer expansion team, you would expect the Atlanta United to have a season of many firsts. But, last night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the United did something for the first time that was much more special than anything else they did for the first time, by becoming just the third expansion team in Major League Soccer history to reach the playoffs with a dominant 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
2* Last night in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, the Atlanta Braves took a 7-1 loss from the Mets, in the last Major League Baseball game to be played at Citi Field this season.
The Braves will now begin a season-ending four game series in Miami, when taking on the Marlins at 7:10 ET tonight.
Starting on the bump in this first game of this series for the Braves will be right-hand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Marlins will be starting left-hand pitcher Dillon Peters.
3* The UGA swimming teams opened their 2017-18 season yesterday by sweeping Emory in a relays-only meet at the Madeleine Jude Brown Aquatic Center.
The UGA women posted a 40-21 decision in winning their 16th consecutive season opener, while the UGA men claimed a 38-23 victory. Jack Bauerle, Georgia’s Tom Cousins head swimming and diving coach, is now a perfect 42-0 versus Emory.
4* The Atlanta Dream have announced that they will partner with Atlanta-based Intersect Partners.
The two-organizations will work together to build relationships around the local Atlanta community and pursue a marquee partnership for the Dream franchise.
Intersect Partners, launched in 2016, is a privately held company in the business of creating loyal, long-term partnerships for organizations and their business partners.
5* At 8:30 ET tonight, live on CBS, you can see the Green Bay Packers host an arch rival from their division, that being the NFC North, when they take on the Chicago Bears, at Lambeau Field.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Wednesday, September 27, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, at Citi Field, in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, rookie right fielder Travis Taijeron singled home the winning run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Mets to rally and beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3.
With the loss, R.A. Dickey, who gave up five hits and two runs, while striking out four within the game’s first 6.2 innings, may have pitched his last game. It’s been widely purported that the 42-year-old, right-hand knuckleball pitcher just might retire after 15 MLB seasons.
The Braves will continue their eight-game road trip with tonight’s 7:10 ET game versus the Mets.
In this game, the fourth game of four in the series, which will air live on Fox Sports Southeast, left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb will start for the Braves. The Mets will start rookie right-hand pitcher Robert Gsellman, in this last home game of the season for the Big Apple’s National League team.
2* Georgia’s Yante Maten has been selected as the preseason SEC Player of the Year and named third-team All-America by Chris Dortch’s Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. He also was on the publication’s first-team All-SEC squad.
Maten, a 6-8, 243-pound senior forward from Pontiac, Michigan, is the SEC’s leading returning scorer after averaging 18.2 points per game last season. He also is the league’s active career leader in points (1,250), rebounds (606) and blocked shots (149).
3* Atlanta Dream guard Brittney Sykes leads the 2017 WNBA All-Rookie Team as one of three unanimous selections.
Sykes received the maximum 11 votes from a panel of the WNBA’s 12 head coaches, who each selected five players regardless of position and were not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
Sykes, who this season was the WNBA rookie leader in scoring (13.9 ppg), rebounding (4.1 rpg) and three-pointers made (37), was the seventh selection in the 2017 WNBA Draft, en route to being named Rookie of the Month for July and August/September, a stretch that included 21 double-figure scoring performances in 22 games.
Sykes, who also closed the season with a career-best 33 points versus the Phoenix Mercury on September 3 – the highest-scoring game by a rookie in 2017 – is fourth Dream player to be named to the All-Rookie Team (Alex Bentley 2013, Tiffany Hayes 2012, Angel McCoughtry 2009).
4* The Georgia swimming teams will open their 2017-18 season today with a relays-only meet at Emory University in Atlanta.
The meet at Madeleine Jude Brown Aquatic Center will begin at 4 PM ET. There is no fee for admission.
Today’s meet will have an unusual format as it will feature relays only. The only standard relays will be the 200 medley and the 200 and 400 freestyles. Additional relays will be crescendo (covering 500 yards), 300 butterfly, 200 mixed freestyle, 300 backstroke, 300 breaststroke and 400 mixed individual medley.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, at Citi Field, in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, rookie right fielder Travis Taijeron singled home the winning run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Mets to rally and beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3.
With the loss, R.A. Dickey, who gave up five hits and two runs, while striking out four within the game’s first 6.2 innings, may have pitched his last game. It’s been widely purported that the 42-year-old, right-hand knuckleball pitcher just might retire after 15 MLB seasons.
The Braves will continue their eight-game road trip with tonight’s 7:10 ET game versus the Mets.
In this game, the fourth game of four in the series, which will air live on Fox Sports Southeast, left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb will start for the Braves. The Mets will start rookie right-hand pitcher Robert Gsellman, in this last home game of the season for the Big Apple’s National League team.
2* Georgia’s Yante Maten has been selected as the preseason SEC Player of the Year and named third-team All-America by Chris Dortch’s Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. He also was on the publication’s first-team All-SEC squad.
Maten, a 6-8, 243-pound senior forward from Pontiac, Michigan, is the SEC’s leading returning scorer after averaging 18.2 points per game last season. He also is the league’s active career leader in points (1,250), rebounds (606) and blocked shots (149).
3* Atlanta Dream guard Brittney Sykes leads the 2017 WNBA All-Rookie Team as one of three unanimous selections.
Sykes received the maximum 11 votes from a panel of the WNBA’s 12 head coaches, who each selected five players regardless of position and were not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
Sykes, who this season was the WNBA rookie leader in scoring (13.9 ppg), rebounding (4.1 rpg) and three-pointers made (37), was the seventh selection in the 2017 WNBA Draft, en route to being named Rookie of the Month for July and August/September, a stretch that included 21 double-figure scoring performances in 22 games.
Sykes, who also closed the season with a career-best 33 points versus the Phoenix Mercury on September 3 – the highest-scoring game by a rookie in 2017 – is fourth Dream player to be named to the All-Rookie Team (Alex Bentley 2013, Tiffany Hayes 2012, Angel McCoughtry 2009).
4* The Georgia swimming teams will open their 2017-18 season today with a relays-only meet at Emory University in Atlanta.
The meet at Madeleine Jude Brown Aquatic Center will begin at 4 PM ET. There is no fee for admission.
Today’s meet will have an unusual format as it will feature relays only. The only standard relays will be the 200 medley and the 200 and 400 freestyles. Additional relays will be crescendo (covering 500 yards), 300 butterfly, 200 mixed freestyle, 300 backstroke, 300 breaststroke and 400 mixed individual medley.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Tuesday, September 26, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, Lucas Sims, a rookie right-hand pitcher, turned in his second strong performance since returning to the rotation, as he got his first win since August 22 in helping the Atlanta Braves get a 9-2 win over the Mets in the first game of a doubleheader.
In the nightcap, the Braves took a 3-2 loss from the Mets.
The Braves will continue with its eight-game road trip when taking on the Mets in the RHP R.A. Dickey (10-10, 4.32 ERA) pitches for Atlanta on Tuesday. He'll be opposed by RHP Rafael Montero (5-11, 5.30 ERA). It could be the final start of Dickey's career, who's hinted at retirement after 15 seasons.
The Braves will now continue their eight road trip with game-three of this series versus the Mets, at 7:10 ET tonight.
The Braves will start right-hand pitcher R.A. Dickey, the Mets will start right-hand pitcher Rafael Montero. It could be the final start of Dickey's career, who's hinted at retirement after 15 seasons.
The game is slated to air live on Fox Sports Southeast.
2* The Georgia Bulldogs have announced that its Saturday, October 7, SEC football versus Vanderbilt in Nashville will kick off at noon. ET and be televised live by either the SEC Network, ESPN, or ESPN2. The network will be determined following September 30th’s college football games.
3* After getting a win over Lipsomb last Friday to start ASUN play, Kennesaw State won two weekly awards as Anaiah Boyer was named ASUN Player of the Week and Rachel Taylor was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Week. It is Boyer’s fourth time winning the award. She finished the match with 13 kills and 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.
With KSU trailing 24-22 in the fourth set with the match on the line, Boyer picked up three kills to keep KSU alive and allow the team to win in five sets. This is Taylor’s first weekly award. She was a force at the net coming up with eight blocks on the night including one that finished off the fourth set. Taylor also had four kills with no errors in the match.
Kennesaw State is now 1-0 in the ASUN and 7-3 overall. They will be back at home this weekend in the KSU Convocation Center hosting FGCU on Friday, September 29 and Stetson on Saturday, September 30. Both of those matches are set to begin at 7:00 PM ET.
4* Georgia Bulldog gymnast Madison McPherson will miss the 2018 season to recover from shoulder surgery. She is expected to need six to eight months of recovery and rehabilitation time following the surgery.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York, Lucas Sims, a rookie right-hand pitcher, turned in his second strong performance since returning to the rotation, as he got his first win since August 22 in helping the Atlanta Braves get a 9-2 win over the Mets in the first game of a doubleheader.
In the nightcap, the Braves took a 3-2 loss from the Mets.
The Braves will continue with its eight-game road trip when taking on the Mets in the RHP R.A. Dickey (10-10, 4.32 ERA) pitches for Atlanta on Tuesday. He'll be opposed by RHP Rafael Montero (5-11, 5.30 ERA). It could be the final start of Dickey's career, who's hinted at retirement after 15 seasons.
The Braves will now continue their eight road trip with game-three of this series versus the Mets, at 7:10 ET tonight.
The Braves will start right-hand pitcher R.A. Dickey, the Mets will start right-hand pitcher Rafael Montero. It could be the final start of Dickey's career, who's hinted at retirement after 15 seasons.
The game is slated to air live on Fox Sports Southeast.
2* The Georgia Bulldogs have announced that its Saturday, October 7, SEC football versus Vanderbilt in Nashville will kick off at noon. ET and be televised live by either the SEC Network, ESPN, or ESPN2. The network will be determined following September 30th’s college football games.
3* After getting a win over Lipsomb last Friday to start ASUN play, Kennesaw State won two weekly awards as Anaiah Boyer was named ASUN Player of the Week and Rachel Taylor was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Week. It is Boyer’s fourth time winning the award. She finished the match with 13 kills and 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.
With KSU trailing 24-22 in the fourth set with the match on the line, Boyer picked up three kills to keep KSU alive and allow the team to win in five sets. This is Taylor’s first weekly award. She was a force at the net coming up with eight blocks on the night including one that finished off the fourth set. Taylor also had four kills with no errors in the match.
Kennesaw State is now 1-0 in the ASUN and 7-3 overall. They will be back at home this weekend in the KSU Convocation Center hosting FGCU on Friday, September 29 and Stetson on Saturday, September 30. Both of those matches are set to begin at 7:00 PM ET.
4* Georgia Bulldog gymnast Madison McPherson will miss the 2018 season to recover from shoulder surgery. She is expected to need six to eight months of recovery and rehabilitation time following the surgery.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Friday, September 22, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night at SunTrust Park, right-hand pitcher R.A. Dickey gave up two runs, four hits and no walks thru eight innings, to help the Atlanta Braves defeat the Washington Nationals 3-2, in what could be his last home game.
The win gave Dickey six straight seasons with double-digit wins, which is a streak that began in 2012 when he was 20-6 and won the National League Cy Young Award with the Mets.
Though the 42-year-old knuckleballer isn't sure if he'll be back with the Braves next season, or even in the majors, he did make a strong case that the Braves should pick up his $8 million club option for 2018, should he decide to extend his career.
The Braves will begin a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, 7:35 ET tonight at SunTrust Park.
Starting for the Braves will be left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb. The Phillies will right-hand pitcher Ben Lively.
2* The Atlanta Dream’s Layshia Clarendon and Tiffany Hayes are among 12 Olympic and/or FIBA World Cup gold medalists headlining the list of 30 athletes who have accepted an invitation and are available to participate in the 2017 USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp September 30-October 2 in Santa Barbara, California.
And, with an eye to the future, five college All-Americans have been included among the training camp roster.
Invitations were issued by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee.
3* Tomorrow in college football, only the Georgia Bulldogs are home. They will be in a dog fight when hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 7:00 PM ET.
At 12:20 PM ET, Georgia Tech will be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania playing Pitt; at 2:00 PM ET, Clark Atlanta will in Jackson, Tennessee playing Lane; and at 6:00 PM ET, Morehouse will be in Fairfield, Alabama playing Miles and Georgia State will be in Charlotte, North Carolina playing UNC Charlotte. Kennesaw State has the day off.
The Georgia game is slated to air on ESPN; the Georgia Tech game is slated to air on the ACC Network; and the Georgia State game is slated to air on Charlotte’s WCCB-TV, Atlanta’s Peachtree TV and on-line at CUSA.tv, via subscription.
4* This Sunday at 1:00 PM ET, in a game airing on FOX TV, the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons will up against the 2-0 Lions in Detroit. And, in a match airing 5:00 PM ET on FOX TV, the Atlanta United will be hosting the Montreal Impact at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night at SunTrust Park, right-hand pitcher R.A. Dickey gave up two runs, four hits and no walks thru eight innings, to help the Atlanta Braves defeat the Washington Nationals 3-2, in what could be his last home game.
The win gave Dickey six straight seasons with double-digit wins, which is a streak that began in 2012 when he was 20-6 and won the National League Cy Young Award with the Mets.
Though the 42-year-old knuckleballer isn't sure if he'll be back with the Braves next season, or even in the majors, he did make a strong case that the Braves should pick up his $8 million club option for 2018, should he decide to extend his career.
The Braves will begin a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, 7:35 ET tonight at SunTrust Park.
Starting for the Braves will be left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb. The Phillies will right-hand pitcher Ben Lively.
2* The Atlanta Dream’s Layshia Clarendon and Tiffany Hayes are among 12 Olympic and/or FIBA World Cup gold medalists headlining the list of 30 athletes who have accepted an invitation and are available to participate in the 2017 USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp September 30-October 2 in Santa Barbara, California.
And, with an eye to the future, five college All-Americans have been included among the training camp roster.
Invitations were issued by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee.
3* Tomorrow in college football, only the Georgia Bulldogs are home. They will be in a dog fight when hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 7:00 PM ET.
At 12:20 PM ET, Georgia Tech will be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania playing Pitt; at 2:00 PM ET, Clark Atlanta will in Jackson, Tennessee playing Lane; and at 6:00 PM ET, Morehouse will be in Fairfield, Alabama playing Miles and Georgia State will be in Charlotte, North Carolina playing UNC Charlotte. Kennesaw State has the day off.
The Georgia game is slated to air on ESPN; the Georgia Tech game is slated to air on the ACC Network; and the Georgia State game is slated to air on Charlotte’s WCCB-TV, Atlanta’s Peachtree TV and on-line at CUSA.tv, via subscription.
4* This Sunday at 1:00 PM ET, in a game airing on FOX TV, the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons will up against the 2-0 Lions in Detroit. And, in a match airing 5:00 PM ET on FOX TV, the Atlanta United will be hosting the Montreal Impact at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Wednesday, September 20, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 4-2 loss from the Washington Nationals, who were using the game as tune-up for the playoffs.
Braves rookie lefthand pitcher Luiz Gohara (1-2) surrendered the four runs, along with 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
With the setback, the Braves (67-82) are assured of their fourth losing season in a row.
It is the Braves’ longest such streak since having seven consecutive losing seasons from 1984-90, which was followed by a record streak of 14 straight division titles.
Braves centerfielder Ender Inciarte left after the fourth inning with a sore left thumb.
For game-two of this three-game series, 7:35 ET tonight at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start right-hand pitcher Lucas Sims, who is filling in for right-hand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz. Foltynewicz lacerated his right middle finger in his last appearance.
The Nationals will start left-hand pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts against the Braves this season, which includes his most recent appearance last week in Washington when he surrendered seven hits and five runs in five innings of an 8-0 loss.
2* Georgia State men’s soccer earned their third shutout of the season with a 2-0 win over Presbyterian last night.
Helping the Panthers was forward Rashid Alarape, who scored both goals and his third game-winner this season.
Georgia State will return to the pitch next Tuesday, September 26 when in Charleston, South Carolina taking on the College of Charleston.
3* At 7:00 ET tonight, the Atlanta United will be hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Though tickets are still available, the game will air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
4* Yesterday UGA announced its 2018 football schedule, which includes SEC home games versus Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Auburn.
All four of Georgia’s true road games will be in SEC play, with trips to South Carolina, Missouri, LSU and Kentucky.
The annual neutral-field matchup with Florida in Jacksonville will be on October 27.
LSU replaces Mississippi State as Georgia’s rotating Western Division opponent, marking the first game between these two programs since 2013, and Georgia’s first trip to Baton Rouge since 2008.
Georgia kicks off the 2018 season with a September 1st home game versus Austin Peay, the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Georgia’s other non-conference home games include Middle Tennessee State on September 15, UMass on November 17, and the regular season-ending rivalry game vs. Georgia Tech.
Georgia’s agreement to play UMass in football also included a home-and-home series in men’s basketball, which starts with a game between the two schools in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 16 of this year.
The two basketball programs will play each other in Athens next season.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 4-2 loss from the Washington Nationals, who were using the game as tune-up for the playoffs.
Braves rookie lefthand pitcher Luiz Gohara (1-2) surrendered the four runs, along with 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
With the setback, the Braves (67-82) are assured of their fourth losing season in a row.
It is the Braves’ longest such streak since having seven consecutive losing seasons from 1984-90, which was followed by a record streak of 14 straight division titles.
Braves centerfielder Ender Inciarte left after the fourth inning with a sore left thumb.
For game-two of this three-game series, 7:35 ET tonight at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start right-hand pitcher Lucas Sims, who is filling in for right-hand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz. Foltynewicz lacerated his right middle finger in his last appearance.
The Nationals will start left-hand pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts against the Braves this season, which includes his most recent appearance last week in Washington when he surrendered seven hits and five runs in five innings of an 8-0 loss.
2* Georgia State men’s soccer earned their third shutout of the season with a 2-0 win over Presbyterian last night.
Helping the Panthers was forward Rashid Alarape, who scored both goals and his third game-winner this season.
Georgia State will return to the pitch next Tuesday, September 26 when in Charleston, South Carolina taking on the College of Charleston.
3* At 7:00 ET tonight, the Atlanta United will be hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Though tickets are still available, the game will air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
4* Yesterday UGA announced its 2018 football schedule, which includes SEC home games versus Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Auburn.
All four of Georgia’s true road games will be in SEC play, with trips to South Carolina, Missouri, LSU and Kentucky.
The annual neutral-field matchup with Florida in Jacksonville will be on October 27.
LSU replaces Mississippi State as Georgia’s rotating Western Division opponent, marking the first game between these two programs since 2013, and Georgia’s first trip to Baton Rouge since 2008.
Georgia kicks off the 2018 season with a September 1st home game versus Austin Peay, the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Georgia’s other non-conference home games include Middle Tennessee State on September 15, UMass on November 17, and the regular season-ending rivalry game vs. Georgia Tech.
Georgia’s agreement to play UMass in football also included a home-and-home series in men’s basketball, which starts with a game between the two schools in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 16 of this year.
The two basketball programs will play each other in Athens next season.
-WATB/WGFS-
Report For Tuesday, September 19, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, Morehouse’s 6’5” senior quarterback Kivon Taylor was named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week, for his outstanding play, in Saturday’s 35-33 come-from-behind road win over Central State.
Despite giving up three interceptions, Taylor led Morehouse to 387 yards of offense and orchestrated third-quarter scoring drives of 42, 55 and 76 yards. His one-yard touchdown run gave Morehouse its final lead.
Taylor completed 17 of 27 passes, for 247 yards and two touchdowns. His longest completion was a 55-yard touchdown to Amyr Smith. Taylor also rushed seven times for 21 yards.
For the season, Taylor has thrown for 498 yards and two touchdowns and he is second on the team in rushing, with 77 yards.
2* Yesterday, the Atlanta United had three players recognized in the MLS Team of the week – two in the starting lineup and one on the bench.
Striker Josef Martinez gets the obvious nod after becoming just the third player in MLS history to score back-to-back hat tricks. His six goals this week puts him just three goals off the Golden Boot race lead, despite missing months due to injury this year.
Midfielder Miguel Almirón dominated possession and added an assist and five key passes in the final third over the two games. That earned him a spot in the starting lineup as well.
Finally, making the bench in the MLS Team of the Week this week was winger Yamil Asad, who added five key passes and a goal in the final third to put an exclamation point on another exceptional week's performance.
3* Georgia State men’s soccer team, 4-3 on the season, will open a three-match road stretch at 7:00 ET tonight versus Presbyterian, in Clinton, S.C.
4* Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves had the day off. At 7:35 ET tonight, they will resume their nine-game homestand with the first of three games versus the Washington Nationals.
For this fourth game of the homestand at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start rookie lefthand pitcher Luiz Gohara, who will be making his second MLB career start. The Nationals will be starting their ace and Cy Young contender, righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
5* Just hours after the final remaining tickets went on sale to Alexander-Tharpe Fund donors, Georgia Tech football’s regular-season finale versus archrival Georgia is officially sold out.
An extremely limited number of remaining tickets for the 112th edition of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate,” set for Nov. 25 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, were made available to current A-T Fund donors at 10 AM yesterday. By 4 PM, the tickets were gone, making the annual Georgia Tech-Georgia showdown a sellout for the 21st-consecutive season.
With the sellout, Georgia Tech’s six-game season-ticket packages (which included all six games played at Bobby Dodd Stadium this season) are also sold out. Tickets for Georgia Tech’s four ACC home games (this Saturday vs. Pitt; September 30 vs. North Carolina; October 21 vs. Wake Forest and November 11 vs. Virginia Tech) remain on sale.
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund serves as the primary fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics and strives to fund all athletic scholarships for GT student-athletes through philanthropy. Benefits of being an A-T Fund donor include priority for football and men's basketball tickets and parking, invitations to special events and much more, while also giving donors the opportunity to directly impact the lives of Georgia Tech student-athletes.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, Morehouse’s 6’5” senior quarterback Kivon Taylor was named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week, for his outstanding play, in Saturday’s 35-33 come-from-behind road win over Central State.
Despite giving up three interceptions, Taylor led Morehouse to 387 yards of offense and orchestrated third-quarter scoring drives of 42, 55 and 76 yards. His one-yard touchdown run gave Morehouse its final lead.
Taylor completed 17 of 27 passes, for 247 yards and two touchdowns. His longest completion was a 55-yard touchdown to Amyr Smith. Taylor also rushed seven times for 21 yards.
For the season, Taylor has thrown for 498 yards and two touchdowns and he is second on the team in rushing, with 77 yards.
2* Yesterday, the Atlanta United had three players recognized in the MLS Team of the week – two in the starting lineup and one on the bench.
Striker Josef Martinez gets the obvious nod after becoming just the third player in MLS history to score back-to-back hat tricks. His six goals this week puts him just three goals off the Golden Boot race lead, despite missing months due to injury this year.
Midfielder Miguel Almirón dominated possession and added an assist and five key passes in the final third over the two games. That earned him a spot in the starting lineup as well.
Finally, making the bench in the MLS Team of the Week this week was winger Yamil Asad, who added five key passes and a goal in the final third to put an exclamation point on another exceptional week's performance.
3* Georgia State men’s soccer team, 4-3 on the season, will open a three-match road stretch at 7:00 ET tonight versus Presbyterian, in Clinton, S.C.
4* Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves had the day off. At 7:35 ET tonight, they will resume their nine-game homestand with the first of three games versus the Washington Nationals.
For this fourth game of the homestand at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start rookie lefthand pitcher Luiz Gohara, who will be making his second MLB career start. The Nationals will be starting their ace and Cy Young contender, righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
5* Just hours after the final remaining tickets went on sale to Alexander-Tharpe Fund donors, Georgia Tech football’s regular-season finale versus archrival Georgia is officially sold out.
An extremely limited number of remaining tickets for the 112th edition of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate,” set for Nov. 25 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, were made available to current A-T Fund donors at 10 AM yesterday. By 4 PM, the tickets were gone, making the annual Georgia Tech-Georgia showdown a sellout for the 21st-consecutive season.
With the sellout, Georgia Tech’s six-game season-ticket packages (which included all six games played at Bobby Dodd Stadium this season) are also sold out. Tickets for Georgia Tech’s four ACC home games (this Saturday vs. Pitt; September 30 vs. North Carolina; October 21 vs. Wake Forest and November 11 vs. Virginia Tech) remain on sale.
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund serves as the primary fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics and strives to fund all athletic scholarships for GT student-athletes through philanthropy. Benefits of being an A-T Fund donor include priority for football and men's basketball tickets and parking, invitations to special events and much more, while also giving donors the opportunity to directly impact the lives of Georgia Tech student-athletes.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Friday, September 15, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night in our nation’s capital, starting righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz left the Braves-Nationals game after four innings with a cut on the tip of his right middle finger. That forced Braves manager Brian Snitker to go to his bullpen earlier than anticipated, as the Braves took a 5-2 loss from the Nationals.
With the Braves having won two of three games versus the Nationals in this three-game road trip, they’ll return home to SunTrust Park for a nine-game homestand. The homestand begins at 7:35 ET tonight, with the first of three games versus the New York Mets.
Starting for the Braves will be left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb. The Mets will start right-hand pitcher Rafael Montero.
2* Last night, Georgia’s volleyball team defeated Texas Tech 3-1, and will now host Georgia Tech at 7:00 ET tonight.
3* The Georgia Bulldogs soccer team is set to begin Southeastern Conference action at 7:30 ET tonight, when in Columbia, Missouri taking on the Missouri Tigers.
In this match, airing live on SEC Network +, Georgia will be coming off a historic 9-1, September 10 win over Coastal Carolina.
Not only was it the first time the teams faced each other in program history, but it was the first time two Bulldogs had a hat trick in the same game.
Mollie Belisle and Kelsey Killean led Georgia with four and three goals, respectively. And, the nine goals are the second most scored in Georgia soccer history and the most during the coach Billy Lesesne era.
4* The Atlanta United will go its fourth straight game without a loss, when taking on the Lions in Orlando, Florida, 4:00 PM ET tomorrow.
5* Tomorrow in college football, at 1:00 PM ET Clark Atlanta is at Tuskegee and Morehouse is at Central State, at 7:30 PM ET Georgia will be hosting Samford and Georgia State will be at fifth ranked Penn State, and Kennesaw State will be at Alabama State 8:00 PM ET, and.
6* Georgia St.’s volleyball team will host the GSU Invitational this weekend, with the Panthers facing So. Carolina St. at 11:00 AM ET tomorrow. Afterwards, Wofford plays Davidson at 1:00 PM ET, followed by South Carolina St. facing Davidson at 5:00 PM ET and Georgia St. facing Wofford at 7:00 PM ET.
Then on Sunday, South Carolina State plays Wofford at 11:30 AM ET, followed by Georgia State playing Davidson at 1:30 PM ET.
This weekend in the Bluegrass State, Kennesaw State will be in Lexington taking on Kentucky at 6:00 PM ET tomorrow, then in Louisville at 3:00 PM ET Sunday, taking on the Cardinals.
7* The Atlanta Falcons will play it debut game at Mercedes-Benz, when hosting the Green Bay Packers live on NBC TV, 8:30 PM ET Sunday.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night in our nation’s capital, starting righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz left the Braves-Nationals game after four innings with a cut on the tip of his right middle finger. That forced Braves manager Brian Snitker to go to his bullpen earlier than anticipated, as the Braves took a 5-2 loss from the Nationals.
With the Braves having won two of three games versus the Nationals in this three-game road trip, they’ll return home to SunTrust Park for a nine-game homestand. The homestand begins at 7:35 ET tonight, with the first of three games versus the New York Mets.
Starting for the Braves will be left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb. The Mets will start right-hand pitcher Rafael Montero.
2* Last night, Georgia’s volleyball team defeated Texas Tech 3-1, and will now host Georgia Tech at 7:00 ET tonight.
3* The Georgia Bulldogs soccer team is set to begin Southeastern Conference action at 7:30 ET tonight, when in Columbia, Missouri taking on the Missouri Tigers.
In this match, airing live on SEC Network +, Georgia will be coming off a historic 9-1, September 10 win over Coastal Carolina.
Not only was it the first time the teams faced each other in program history, but it was the first time two Bulldogs had a hat trick in the same game.
Mollie Belisle and Kelsey Killean led Georgia with four and three goals, respectively. And, the nine goals are the second most scored in Georgia soccer history and the most during the coach Billy Lesesne era.
4* The Atlanta United will go its fourth straight game without a loss, when taking on the Lions in Orlando, Florida, 4:00 PM ET tomorrow.
5* Tomorrow in college football, at 1:00 PM ET Clark Atlanta is at Tuskegee and Morehouse is at Central State, at 7:30 PM ET Georgia will be hosting Samford and Georgia State will be at fifth ranked Penn State, and Kennesaw State will be at Alabama State 8:00 PM ET, and.
6* Georgia St.’s volleyball team will host the GSU Invitational this weekend, with the Panthers facing So. Carolina St. at 11:00 AM ET tomorrow. Afterwards, Wofford plays Davidson at 1:00 PM ET, followed by South Carolina St. facing Davidson at 5:00 PM ET and Georgia St. facing Wofford at 7:00 PM ET.
Then on Sunday, South Carolina State plays Wofford at 11:30 AM ET, followed by Georgia State playing Davidson at 1:30 PM ET.
This weekend in the Bluegrass State, Kennesaw State will be in Lexington taking on Kentucky at 6:00 PM ET tomorrow, then in Louisville at 3:00 PM ET Sunday, taking on the Cardinals.
7* The Atlanta Falcons will play it debut game at Mercedes-Benz, when hosting the Green Bay Packers live on NBC TV, 8:30 PM ET Sunday.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Monday, September 18, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 5-1 loss from the New York Mets. Losing game-three of this three-game set – and their second straight game – has officially removed the Braves from postseason contention. And, the Braves must now win all 14 of their remaining games to avoid a losing record for a fourth straight season, for the first time since having seven straight losing seasons from 1984-90.
The Braves have this day off, but will resume their nine-game homestand with the first of three games versus the Washington Nationals at 7:35 ET tomorrow night.
In this game at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start left-hand Luiz Gohara. The Nationals will start righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
2* Last night, the Atlanta Falcons won their first game in its new digs – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – by defeating the Green Bay Packers 34-23.
With that win, the Falcons joined a surprising small group of recent Super Bowl losers who began the following season with a 2-0 record.
Since the 2000 season, the only other teams to do so were the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, the New England Patriots in 2008, and the Denver Broncos in 2014. For the record, none of those reached the Super Bowl in those seasons, and the Patriots even failed to qualify for the postseason.
3* Kennesaw State’s volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-20) to Louisville, and finishes non-conference play with a 6-3 record.
For Kennesaw State, Anaiah Boyer had 10 kills – a team high – and eight digs and Kristi Piedimonte had 30 assists.
4* Volleyball standout Celeste Friesen is this week's Georgia State Student-Athlete of the Week, powered by the U.S. Marines, after leading the Panthers to a 2-1 record in the GSU Invitational over the weekend.
Friesen, from nearby Marietta, Ga., tallied 45 digs in Georgia State’s three matches over the weekend. The sophomore tacked on six aces for GSU as they earned wins over South Carolina State and Davidson. The weekend marked the first home matches of the year for Georgia State which improved to 6-7.
Friesen’s 22 digs in the win versus Davidson were a game-high, as were her 14 digs in the win over South Carolina State.
5* The No. 25-ranked Georgia men’s golf team stands ninth after one round of the Golfweek Collegiate Challenge.
Yesterday, at Cedar Rapids Country Club, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Georgia fired a 4-over-par 292. North Carolina State grabbed the first-round lead at 14-under 274, followed by Iowa at 5-under 283 and UNC-Wilmington at 3-under 285.
Spencer Ralston paced Georgia as he fired a 5-under 67. Ralston stands second individually, one shot shy of North Carolina State’s Stephen Franken (66).
Trevor Phillips, a late addition to Georgia’s lineup, signed for an even-par 72, while Zach Healy posted a 4-over 76 and Jack Larkin Jr. recorded a 5-over 77. John Hilliard Catanzaro had the Bulldogs’ non-counting score of 6-over 78.
The Golfweek Collegiate Challenge will continue today and will conclude tomorrow.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 5-1 loss from the New York Mets. Losing game-three of this three-game set – and their second straight game – has officially removed the Braves from postseason contention. And, the Braves must now win all 14 of their remaining games to avoid a losing record for a fourth straight season, for the first time since having seven straight losing seasons from 1984-90.
The Braves have this day off, but will resume their nine-game homestand with the first of three games versus the Washington Nationals at 7:35 ET tomorrow night.
In this game at SunTrust Park, the Braves will start left-hand Luiz Gohara. The Nationals will start righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
2* Last night, the Atlanta Falcons won their first game in its new digs – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – by defeating the Green Bay Packers 34-23.
With that win, the Falcons joined a surprising small group of recent Super Bowl losers who began the following season with a 2-0 record.
Since the 2000 season, the only other teams to do so were the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, the New England Patriots in 2008, and the Denver Broncos in 2014. For the record, none of those reached the Super Bowl in those seasons, and the Patriots even failed to qualify for the postseason.
3* Kennesaw State’s volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-20) to Louisville, and finishes non-conference play with a 6-3 record.
For Kennesaw State, Anaiah Boyer had 10 kills – a team high – and eight digs and Kristi Piedimonte had 30 assists.
4* Volleyball standout Celeste Friesen is this week's Georgia State Student-Athlete of the Week, powered by the U.S. Marines, after leading the Panthers to a 2-1 record in the GSU Invitational over the weekend.
Friesen, from nearby Marietta, Ga., tallied 45 digs in Georgia State’s three matches over the weekend. The sophomore tacked on six aces for GSU as they earned wins over South Carolina State and Davidson. The weekend marked the first home matches of the year for Georgia State which improved to 6-7.
Friesen’s 22 digs in the win versus Davidson were a game-high, as were her 14 digs in the win over South Carolina State.
5* The No. 25-ranked Georgia men’s golf team stands ninth after one round of the Golfweek Collegiate Challenge.
Yesterday, at Cedar Rapids Country Club, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Georgia fired a 4-over-par 292. North Carolina State grabbed the first-round lead at 14-under 274, followed by Iowa at 5-under 283 and UNC-Wilmington at 3-under 285.
Spencer Ralston paced Georgia as he fired a 5-under 67. Ralston stands second individually, one shot shy of North Carolina State’s Stephen Franken (66).
Trevor Phillips, a late addition to Georgia’s lineup, signed for an even-par 72, while Zach Healy posted a 4-over 76 and Jack Larkin Jr. recorded a 5-over 77. John Hilliard Catanzaro had the Bulldogs’ non-counting score of 6-over 78.
The Golfweek Collegiate Challenge will continue today and will conclude tomorrow.
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WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Thursday, September 14, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night Josef Martinez led the Atlanta United in scoring with a first-half hat trick, as they defeated the New England Revolution 7-0, to go 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It’s the second time in four days that the MLS expansion club has shutout an opponent in its new digs, having defeated FC Dallas 3-0.
The Revolution were also held without a shot on goal, thus becoming the first team in MLS history to finish a game without having such a shot.
Next up for the United will be Lions in Orlando, Florida, 4:00 PM ET Saturday.
2* Kennesaw State’s volleyball team is now 6-1, after sweeping Georgia 27-25, 25-20, 25-19, for a 3-0 win at the KSU Convocation Center, last night.
Kennesaw State has now defeated every NCAA Division I program in the state of Georgia this season, and under head coach Keith Schunzel Kennesaw State is now 8-2 versus in-state opponents over the last three seasons.
Next up for Kennesaw State is a match versus Kentucky, 6:00 PM ET Saturday in Lexington.
Georgia returns home, to the Ramsey Center, to begin a five-match homestand beginning with Texas Tech at 7:00 ET tonight. Afterwards, Georgia will host Georgia Tech at 7:00 PM ET Friday.
3* Last night in our nation’s capital, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Nationals 8-2, with six of those runs coming in the seventh inning behind shortstop Dansby Swanson’s bases-loaded, two-run single and leftfielder Matt Kemp’s grand slam.
With righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz starting, the Braves will go for the three-game series sweep at 7:05 ET tonight. The Nationals will start righthand pitcher Tanner Roark.
4* Yesterday, the Cleveland Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-3, thus becoming the first American League team to win 21 consecutive games.
With 16 regular season games remaining, the Indians now have a chance to break the Major League Baseball record of 26 consecutive wins.
And, the first of those 16 games will begin at 7:05 ET tonight in Cleveland, versus the Kansas City Royals.
5* And, the NFL Foundation will contribute $1 million to Hurricane Irma relief efforts to be split evenly between the American Red Cross and the five living former U.S. Presidents’ One America Appeal.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Last night Josef Martinez led the Atlanta United in scoring with a first-half hat trick, as they defeated the New England Revolution 7-0, to go 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It’s the second time in four days that the MLS expansion club has shutout an opponent in its new digs, having defeated FC Dallas 3-0.
The Revolution were also held without a shot on goal, thus becoming the first team in MLS history to finish a game without having such a shot.
Next up for the United will be Lions in Orlando, Florida, 4:00 PM ET Saturday.
2* Kennesaw State’s volleyball team is now 6-1, after sweeping Georgia 27-25, 25-20, 25-19, for a 3-0 win at the KSU Convocation Center, last night.
Kennesaw State has now defeated every NCAA Division I program in the state of Georgia this season, and under head coach Keith Schunzel Kennesaw State is now 8-2 versus in-state opponents over the last three seasons.
Next up for Kennesaw State is a match versus Kentucky, 6:00 PM ET Saturday in Lexington.
Georgia returns home, to the Ramsey Center, to begin a five-match homestand beginning with Texas Tech at 7:00 ET tonight. Afterwards, Georgia will host Georgia Tech at 7:00 PM ET Friday.
3* Last night in our nation’s capital, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Nationals 8-2, with six of those runs coming in the seventh inning behind shortstop Dansby Swanson’s bases-loaded, two-run single and leftfielder Matt Kemp’s grand slam.
With righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz starting, the Braves will go for the three-game series sweep at 7:05 ET tonight. The Nationals will start righthand pitcher Tanner Roark.
4* Yesterday, the Cleveland Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-3, thus becoming the first American League team to win 21 consecutive games.
With 16 regular season games remaining, the Indians now have a chance to break the Major League Baseball record of 26 consecutive wins.
And, the first of those 16 games will begin at 7:05 ET tonight in Cleveland, versus the Kansas City Royals.
5* And, the NFL Foundation will contribute $1 million to Hurricane Irma relief efforts to be split evenly between the American Red Cross and the five living former U.S. Presidents’ One America Appeal.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Wednesday, September 13, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Righthand pitcher Julio Teheran threw seven scoreless innings in helping the Atlanta Braves defeat the Washington Nationals 8-0 last night in our nation’s capital. During his seven innings on the hill, Teheran struck out five while giving up seven hits and walking two.
At 7:35 ET tonight, for game-two of this three-game series, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Luiz Gohara and the Nationals will start righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
2* In Woodbury, Minnesota, yesterday Georgia’s women’s golf team posted a 5-over 293 in yesterday’s final round of the Minnesota Invitational at the Prestwick Golf Club. The No. 9-ranked Bulldogs finished the event 12th overall at 882.
3* Georgia State men’s soccer team fell 1-0 last night to Belmont, at the LakePoint Sporting Community, which was used because the field at the GSU Soccer Complex was in very poor condition.
Georgia State took 10 shots versus Belmont, with Nenad Smiljanic, Rashid Alarape, and Kyle Clinton leading the team with two.
Georgia State will return to the field Saturday against Winthrop at the GSU Soccer Complex.
4* At 7:00 ET tonight, the Atlanta United will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosting the New England Revolution.
5* At 5:00 PM tonight, Kennesaw State’s volleyball team will be looking to push their record to 6-1 and have a victory against every NCAA Division I program in the state of Georgia when taking on the Georgia Bulldogs at the KSU Convocation Center.
Under head coach Keith Schunzel, Kennesaw State is currently 7-2 versus in-state foes in the last three seasons.
6* Georgia Tech women’s tennis team has six players who earned preseason recognition yesterday, appearing in the ITA Preseason Rankings.
Four were ranked in singles action with seniors Johnnise Renaud and Paige Hourigan leading the way coming in at No. 23 and No. 49, respectively. Renaud capped her junior season with a 22-6 dual singles record, including a 12-1 ACC ledger. Hourigan posted a 20-8 dual singles record last season and earned at-large berths into both the NCAA singles and doubles championships.
Sophomores Kenya Jones and Nami Otsuka rounded out the quartet ranked in singles at No. 103 and No. 111, respectively. Jones opened her collegiate campaign with a 23-7 dual singles record last season, while teammate Otsuka compiled a remarkable 25-2 dual singles mark.
After posting a 25-3 doubles mark last season, Georgia Tech’s tandem of Hourigan/Jones come in at No. 3 in the preseason rankings. The duo finished last season ranked No. 17 and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Championships.
Also appearing in the doubles rankings are newcomers Ida Jarlskog and Victoria Flores as the No. 40 duo in the nation.
Additionally, the ITA releases a 10-member ITA Freshmen-Newcomer Rankings preseason poll and both Jarlskog and Flores appear on the list at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Of the 10-member list, five players represent ACC schools.
Also announced were the 2017 Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships Selections. Georgia Tech’s Jones/Hourigan duo earned a main draw doubles selection, as Renaud appeared on the main draw singles alternate and qualifying singles lists. Hourigan also earned a spot on the qualifying singles list.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Righthand pitcher Julio Teheran threw seven scoreless innings in helping the Atlanta Braves defeat the Washington Nationals 8-0 last night in our nation’s capital. During his seven innings on the hill, Teheran struck out five while giving up seven hits and walking two.
At 7:35 ET tonight, for game-two of this three-game series, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Luiz Gohara and the Nationals will start righthand pitcher Max Scherzer.
2* In Woodbury, Minnesota, yesterday Georgia’s women’s golf team posted a 5-over 293 in yesterday’s final round of the Minnesota Invitational at the Prestwick Golf Club. The No. 9-ranked Bulldogs finished the event 12th overall at 882.
3* Georgia State men’s soccer team fell 1-0 last night to Belmont, at the LakePoint Sporting Community, which was used because the field at the GSU Soccer Complex was in very poor condition.
Georgia State took 10 shots versus Belmont, with Nenad Smiljanic, Rashid Alarape, and Kyle Clinton leading the team with two.
Georgia State will return to the field Saturday against Winthrop at the GSU Soccer Complex.
4* At 7:00 ET tonight, the Atlanta United will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosting the New England Revolution.
5* At 5:00 PM tonight, Kennesaw State’s volleyball team will be looking to push their record to 6-1 and have a victory against every NCAA Division I program in the state of Georgia when taking on the Georgia Bulldogs at the KSU Convocation Center.
Under head coach Keith Schunzel, Kennesaw State is currently 7-2 versus in-state foes in the last three seasons.
6* Georgia Tech women’s tennis team has six players who earned preseason recognition yesterday, appearing in the ITA Preseason Rankings.
Four were ranked in singles action with seniors Johnnise Renaud and Paige Hourigan leading the way coming in at No. 23 and No. 49, respectively. Renaud capped her junior season with a 22-6 dual singles record, including a 12-1 ACC ledger. Hourigan posted a 20-8 dual singles record last season and earned at-large berths into both the NCAA singles and doubles championships.
Sophomores Kenya Jones and Nami Otsuka rounded out the quartet ranked in singles at No. 103 and No. 111, respectively. Jones opened her collegiate campaign with a 23-7 dual singles record last season, while teammate Otsuka compiled a remarkable 25-2 dual singles mark.
After posting a 25-3 doubles mark last season, Georgia Tech’s tandem of Hourigan/Jones come in at No. 3 in the preseason rankings. The duo finished last season ranked No. 17 and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Championships.
Also appearing in the doubles rankings are newcomers Ida Jarlskog and Victoria Flores as the No. 40 duo in the nation.
Additionally, the ITA releases a 10-member ITA Freshmen-Newcomer Rankings preseason poll and both Jarlskog and Flores appear on the list at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Of the 10-member list, five players represent ACC schools.
Also announced were the 2017 Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships Selections. Georgia Tech’s Jones/Hourigan duo earned a main draw doubles selection, as Renaud appeared on the main draw singles alternate and qualifying singles lists. Hourigan also earned a spot on the qualifying singles list.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Tuesday, September 12, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* At 7:35 ET tonight the Atlanta Braves, who had yesterday off, will begin a three-day road trip with the first of three games versus the Nationals, in Washington, D.C. The Braves will be starting righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Nationals will be starting lefthand pitcher Gio González.
2* After the successful inauguration of the Darrell Walker Art Fundraiser, in 2016, the event returns for its second annual affair, 6:00 ET tonight at the Beauchamp Carr Gallery, in the Woodruff Arts Center.
The Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball players utilize the raised funds to help offset the cost of summer school, to help ensure they can afford classes while staying on track to receive their degrees.
3* Georgia’s women’s golf team posted a 5-over 293 in today’s final round of the Minnesota Invitational at the Prestwick Golf Club. The No. 9-ranked Bulldogs finished 12th overall at 882.
Freshman Elisa Yang led the Bulldogs for the third-straight round by firing a 1-under 71. Classmates Stephanie Carras and Paula Neira Garcia also contributed counting tallies, shooting even-par 72 and a 1-over 73, respectively. Isabella Skinner rounded out Georgia’s team tally with a 77.
Overall, Yang finished tied for 24th at even-par 216 in her first collegiate event. Garcia tied for 36th at 219, Gabriela Coello tied for 61st at 226, Carras tied for 66th at 229 and Skinner tied for 70th at 229.
4* Coming off a 1-0 overtime loss at Lipscomb, Georgia State men’s soccer team will host Belmont at the LakePoint Sporting Community, at 7:00 ET tonight.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at the GSU Soccer Complex, but was moved to the LakePoint Sporting Community due to poor field conditions at the GSU Soccer Complex.
5* Robert Loeb and Jan Zielinski are ranked No. 2 nationally in doubles, while five Georgia singles players are featured in the first edition of the 2017 Oracle/ITA Rankings that were released today.
The pair are coming off a title in the main draw of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships to start the fall season – this coming after reaching the NCAA doubles title match in 2017. During their run a year ago, Loeb and Zielinski had five wins versus the other nine doubles duos that made up the final ITA top-10.
Joining Georgia’s top doubles pair in the latest rankings are the Bulldog tandems of Nathan Ponwith and Emil Reinberg (No. 22) as well as Walker Duncan and Wayne Montgomery (No. 53).
On the singles side, Montgomery is the highest-ranked Bulldog at the No. 21 spot. He is followed by Reinberg (No. 30), Ponwith (No. 32), Duncan (No. 101) and Zielinski (No. 102).
Each letter winner from last year’s Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championship team returns after leading the Bulldogs to the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA’s in Athens.
Georgia finished the 2016-17 season ranked No. 7 nationally in the final Oracle/ITA Team Rankings. It marked the seventh-straight year the Bulldogs have finished with a top-10 ranking. Under head coach Manuel Diaz, Georgia has finished in the top-10 an impressive 26 times in 29 years, including top-25 finishes each and every season.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* At 7:35 ET tonight the Atlanta Braves, who had yesterday off, will begin a three-day road trip with the first of three games versus the Nationals, in Washington, D.C. The Braves will be starting righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Nationals will be starting lefthand pitcher Gio González.
2* After the successful inauguration of the Darrell Walker Art Fundraiser, in 2016, the event returns for its second annual affair, 6:00 ET tonight at the Beauchamp Carr Gallery, in the Woodruff Arts Center.
The Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball players utilize the raised funds to help offset the cost of summer school, to help ensure they can afford classes while staying on track to receive their degrees.
3* Georgia’s women’s golf team posted a 5-over 293 in today’s final round of the Minnesota Invitational at the Prestwick Golf Club. The No. 9-ranked Bulldogs finished 12th overall at 882.
Freshman Elisa Yang led the Bulldogs for the third-straight round by firing a 1-under 71. Classmates Stephanie Carras and Paula Neira Garcia also contributed counting tallies, shooting even-par 72 and a 1-over 73, respectively. Isabella Skinner rounded out Georgia’s team tally with a 77.
Overall, Yang finished tied for 24th at even-par 216 in her first collegiate event. Garcia tied for 36th at 219, Gabriela Coello tied for 61st at 226, Carras tied for 66th at 229 and Skinner tied for 70th at 229.
4* Coming off a 1-0 overtime loss at Lipscomb, Georgia State men’s soccer team will host Belmont at the LakePoint Sporting Community, at 7:00 ET tonight.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at the GSU Soccer Complex, but was moved to the LakePoint Sporting Community due to poor field conditions at the GSU Soccer Complex.
5* Robert Loeb and Jan Zielinski are ranked No. 2 nationally in doubles, while five Georgia singles players are featured in the first edition of the 2017 Oracle/ITA Rankings that were released today.
The pair are coming off a title in the main draw of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships to start the fall season – this coming after reaching the NCAA doubles title match in 2017. During their run a year ago, Loeb and Zielinski had five wins versus the other nine doubles duos that made up the final ITA top-10.
Joining Georgia’s top doubles pair in the latest rankings are the Bulldog tandems of Nathan Ponwith and Emil Reinberg (No. 22) as well as Walker Duncan and Wayne Montgomery (No. 53).
On the singles side, Montgomery is the highest-ranked Bulldog at the No. 21 spot. He is followed by Reinberg (No. 30), Ponwith (No. 32), Duncan (No. 101) and Zielinski (No. 102).
Each letter winner from last year’s Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championship team returns after leading the Bulldogs to the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA’s in Athens.
Georgia finished the 2016-17 season ranked No. 7 nationally in the final Oracle/ITA Team Rankings. It marked the seventh-straight year the Bulldogs have finished with a top-10 ranking. Under head coach Manuel Diaz, Georgia has finished in the top-10 an impressive 26 times in 29 years, including top-25 finishes each and every season.
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WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Monday, September 11, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, the Atlanta Falcons began their 2017 NFL season on a winning note, by defeating the Bears 23-17 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
The Falcons opened the scoring by taking a 3-0 lead at 7:56 in the first quarter, behind placekicker Matt Bryant capping an 11 play, 62-yard drive, that took 7:04, with a 48-yard field goal.
Though the Bears tied the game twice, the Falcons never fell behind, as Bryant went on to kick a field goal in the third and fourth quarters, along with an extra point kick in each.
Also for the Falcons, running back Devonta Freeman scored on a five-yard touchdown run at 4:29 in the third quarter, that capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive in 4:29. And quarterback Matt Ryan, last season’s MVP, completed an 88-yard touchdown pass, at 11:55 in the fourth quarter, to tight end Austin Hooper, that capped a three-play, 95-yard drive in 59 seconds.
On the defensive side of the ball, corner back Brian Poole logged a 12-yard sack, as he and linebacker Deion Jones led the Falcons with six tackles and one assisted tackle each.
Falcons’ defensive end, Brooks Reed totaled five tackles that included a game matching high of two sacks for a game-high 21 yards.
The Falcons will be at home (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) this Sunday, September 17, when hosting the Green Bay Packers for a game to air live on NBC TV at 8:30 PM ET.
2* Weather permitting, next Sunday’s Falcons-Packers game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the first open-air NFL game in Atlanta since 1991.
It’s been 25 years since the Falcons have played an open-air game in Atlanta, finishing their run at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 15, 1991 before moving into the Georgia Dome for the 1992 season. The final game in the Georgia Dome was the Falcons’ 44-21 win over the Packers in last January’s NFC Championship Game. The Georgia Dome is scheduled for implosion on Nov. 20, 2017.
3* Yesterday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta United remained in sixth place in the MLS East and playoff bound by defeating FC Dallas 3-0.
Leandro González Pirez helped with his first half goal, assisted by Héctor Villalba. That goal was first followed by Josef Martínez’s second half goal, assisted by Miguel Almirón, and then Greg Garza’s goal, assisted by Héctor Villalba.
The United will return to the pitch when hosting the New England Revolution at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.
4* Over at SunTrust Park yesterday, third baseman Rio Ruiz had a tying, two-run single with two outs in a three-run ninth inning and leftfielder Lane Adams hit a two-run homer in the 11th that helped to give the Atlanta Braves a 10-8 win over the Miami Marlins yesterday.
However, the victory came at the expense of Matt Adams leaving the game in the fifth inning due to his right hamstring tightening up as he ran to second on a double.
The first baseman was given a rare start in leftfield to give leftfielder Matt Kemp a day off.
The Braves, who are off today, begin a three-game road trip with a three-game series tomorrow in Washington, D.C. versus the Nationals.
Coupled with the Braves’ win over the Marlins, the Nationals clinched the National League East pennant yesterday with their 3-2 win over the Phillies.
5* Yesterday, freshman Mollie Belisle scored four goals and senior Kelsey Killean had a hat trick, leading the Georgia’s soccer team to a 9-1 win over Coastal Carolina yesterday at the Tuner Soccer Complex.
It’s the first time in UGA’s soccer history that two of their players had a hat trick in the same game. Additionally, the nine goals scored by UGA is the second highest in program history and the most scored during the Billy Lesesne era.
Georgia last scored nine or more goals in 1996, with an 11-0 win over Jacksonville.
6* After the success of the inaugural Darrell Walker Art Fundraiser held in 2016, the event returns for the second annual installment, which is to be held 6:00 PM ET tomorrow at the Beauchamp Carr Gallery, in the Woodruff Arts Center.
The Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball players utilize the raised funds to help offset the cost of summer school, to help ensure they can afford classes while staying on track to receive their degrees.
7* Due to inclement weather, UGA’s volleyball matches for this week have been rescheduled.
The match at Kennesaw State will now be held at 5:00 PM ET Wednesday. The home match versus Texas Tech, at UGA’s Ramsey Center, will now be held at 7:00 PM ET Thursday. And Friday’s home match versus Georgia Tech, at UGA’s Ramsey Center, is still set for 7:00 PM ET.
8* As of now, the Georgia Tech-UCF football game remains as scheduled, set for Saturday at 7:30 PM ET at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Fl.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Yesterday, the Atlanta Falcons began their 2017 NFL season on a winning note, by defeating the Bears 23-17 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
The Falcons opened the scoring by taking a 3-0 lead at 7:56 in the first quarter, behind placekicker Matt Bryant capping an 11 play, 62-yard drive, that took 7:04, with a 48-yard field goal.
Though the Bears tied the game twice, the Falcons never fell behind, as Bryant went on to kick a field goal in the third and fourth quarters, along with an extra point kick in each.
Also for the Falcons, running back Devonta Freeman scored on a five-yard touchdown run at 4:29 in the third quarter, that capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive in 4:29. And quarterback Matt Ryan, last season’s MVP, completed an 88-yard touchdown pass, at 11:55 in the fourth quarter, to tight end Austin Hooper, that capped a three-play, 95-yard drive in 59 seconds.
On the defensive side of the ball, corner back Brian Poole logged a 12-yard sack, as he and linebacker Deion Jones led the Falcons with six tackles and one assisted tackle each.
Falcons’ defensive end, Brooks Reed totaled five tackles that included a game matching high of two sacks for a game-high 21 yards.
The Falcons will be at home (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) this Sunday, September 17, when hosting the Green Bay Packers for a game to air live on NBC TV at 8:30 PM ET.
2* Weather permitting, next Sunday’s Falcons-Packers game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the first open-air NFL game in Atlanta since 1991.
It’s been 25 years since the Falcons have played an open-air game in Atlanta, finishing their run at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 15, 1991 before moving into the Georgia Dome for the 1992 season. The final game in the Georgia Dome was the Falcons’ 44-21 win over the Packers in last January’s NFC Championship Game. The Georgia Dome is scheduled for implosion on Nov. 20, 2017.
3* Yesterday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta United remained in sixth place in the MLS East and playoff bound by defeating FC Dallas 3-0.
Leandro González Pirez helped with his first half goal, assisted by Héctor Villalba. That goal was first followed by Josef Martínez’s second half goal, assisted by Miguel Almirón, and then Greg Garza’s goal, assisted by Héctor Villalba.
The United will return to the pitch when hosting the New England Revolution at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.
4* Over at SunTrust Park yesterday, third baseman Rio Ruiz had a tying, two-run single with two outs in a three-run ninth inning and leftfielder Lane Adams hit a two-run homer in the 11th that helped to give the Atlanta Braves a 10-8 win over the Miami Marlins yesterday.
However, the victory came at the expense of Matt Adams leaving the game in the fifth inning due to his right hamstring tightening up as he ran to second on a double.
The first baseman was given a rare start in leftfield to give leftfielder Matt Kemp a day off.
The Braves, who are off today, begin a three-game road trip with a three-game series tomorrow in Washington, D.C. versus the Nationals.
Coupled with the Braves’ win over the Marlins, the Nationals clinched the National League East pennant yesterday with their 3-2 win over the Phillies.
5* Yesterday, freshman Mollie Belisle scored four goals and senior Kelsey Killean had a hat trick, leading the Georgia’s soccer team to a 9-1 win over Coastal Carolina yesterday at the Tuner Soccer Complex.
It’s the first time in UGA’s soccer history that two of their players had a hat trick in the same game. Additionally, the nine goals scored by UGA is the second highest in program history and the most scored during the Billy Lesesne era.
Georgia last scored nine or more goals in 1996, with an 11-0 win over Jacksonville.
6* After the success of the inaugural Darrell Walker Art Fundraiser held in 2016, the event returns for the second annual installment, which is to be held 6:00 PM ET tomorrow at the Beauchamp Carr Gallery, in the Woodruff Arts Center.
The Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball players utilize the raised funds to help offset the cost of summer school, to help ensure they can afford classes while staying on track to receive their degrees.
7* Due to inclement weather, UGA’s volleyball matches for this week have been rescheduled.
The match at Kennesaw State will now be held at 5:00 PM ET Wednesday. The home match versus Texas Tech, at UGA’s Ramsey Center, will now be held at 7:00 PM ET Thursday. And Friday’s home match versus Georgia Tech, at UGA’s Ramsey Center, is still set for 7:00 PM ET.
8* As of now, the Georgia Tech-UCF football game remains as scheduled, set for Saturday at 7:30 PM ET at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Fl.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Friday, September 8, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Over at SunTrust Park last night, catcher Kurt Suzuki capped a two-run ninth inning rally by driving in first baseman Freddie Freeman, to help give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins.
The Braves now have 17 wins in their last at-bat, trailing the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels who lead the majors with 19 last at-bat wins.
On another positive note, Braves catcher Tyler Flowers, who has been recovering from a left wrist contusion, has been hitting and could come off the 10-day disabled list this weekend.
And, for the last three games of this weekend home series versus the Marlins, before going on the road for three games versus the Washington Nationals, the Braves will offer free tickets to fans from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina displaced by Hurricane Irma. The Braves will give a complimentary ticket to anyone showing a valid Florida ID. The offer also is open to residents of Georgia and South Carolina counties under mandatory evacuation orders.
For tonight’s game at 7:35 ET, the Marlins will start righthand pitcher Jose Urena, and the Braves will start righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz.
2* At 7:00 PM ET tomorrow, Kennesaw State’s football team will host Tennessee Tech at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, and will offer football tickets to Florida residents displaced by Hurricane Irma.
Those affected may call 470-578-6957 today or come to the stadium ticket office tomorrow, show a valid Florida ID, and receive a complimentary ticket. Guests accompanied by their children will also receive a ticket for the children. However, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Not to be outdone, Georgia Tech’s football team will offer free tickets for their game versus Jacksonville State, to Florida residents and those from Georgia and South Carolina counties under evacuation orders due to Hurricane Irma.
This football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium is slated to kickoff tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET.
Also in local college football tomorrow, Morehouse will host Lane at 6:00 PM ET, Clark Atlanta will host Central State at 7:00 PM ET, and at 7:30 PM ET Georgia will be playing Notre Dame in South Bend, In. for the first time ever.
The only time these two teams have ever met on the gird-iron was when Georgia defeated Notre Dame, 17-10, in the 1981 Sugar Bowl, to clinch the national championship.
3* Tonight at 7:00 PM ET, Georgia’s volleyball team will be in Davidson, N.C., taking on Davidson in the Davidson Wildcat Classic. They will continue playing in this classic tomorrow, when taking on Wofford at 10:00 AM ET and Florida Gulf Coast at 4:00 PM ET.
4* Georgia’s soccer team will be in Birmingham, Al. to face Samford tonight at 8:00 PM ET, before returning home to play Coastal Carolina for the first time ever, Sunday at 2:00 PM ET at the Turner Soccer Complex.
5* Georgia’s cross country teams will be the UGA Golf Course tomorrow, hosting Texas A&M, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina and Georgia Tech in the Bulldog Southeastern Conference Preview.
The men will run an 8,000-meter course at 8:30 AM ET. The women will follow at 9:15 AM ET with a 6,000m race.
Admission is free and parking will be available at the UGA Golf Course. The first 100 fans in attendance will be treated to free donuts and juice at the UGA Promotions table.
6* Former Kennesaw State baseball standout Richard Lovelady has been named as the Kansas City Royals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Lovelady, who hails from Hinesville, Ga., was selected in the 10th round (313 overall) by the Royals in 2016’s MLB Draft and has put up impressive numbers since joining the organization.
The 22-year-old left-hander has spent time with the organization’s Wilmington Blue Rocks (A-Advanced) and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Double-A) this season.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Over at SunTrust Park last night, catcher Kurt Suzuki capped a two-run ninth inning rally by driving in first baseman Freddie Freeman, to help give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins.
The Braves now have 17 wins in their last at-bat, trailing the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels who lead the majors with 19 last at-bat wins.
On another positive note, Braves catcher Tyler Flowers, who has been recovering from a left wrist contusion, has been hitting and could come off the 10-day disabled list this weekend.
And, for the last three games of this weekend home series versus the Marlins, before going on the road for three games versus the Washington Nationals, the Braves will offer free tickets to fans from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina displaced by Hurricane Irma. The Braves will give a complimentary ticket to anyone showing a valid Florida ID. The offer also is open to residents of Georgia and South Carolina counties under mandatory evacuation orders.
For tonight’s game at 7:35 ET, the Marlins will start righthand pitcher Jose Urena, and the Braves will start righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz.
2* At 7:00 PM ET tomorrow, Kennesaw State’s football team will host Tennessee Tech at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, and will offer football tickets to Florida residents displaced by Hurricane Irma.
Those affected may call 470-578-6957 today or come to the stadium ticket office tomorrow, show a valid Florida ID, and receive a complimentary ticket. Guests accompanied by their children will also receive a ticket for the children. However, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Not to be outdone, Georgia Tech’s football team will offer free tickets for their game versus Jacksonville State, to Florida residents and those from Georgia and South Carolina counties under evacuation orders due to Hurricane Irma.
This football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium is slated to kickoff tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET.
Also in local college football tomorrow, Morehouse will host Lane at 6:00 PM ET, Clark Atlanta will host Central State at 7:00 PM ET, and at 7:30 PM ET Georgia will be playing Notre Dame in South Bend, In. for the first time ever.
The only time these two teams have ever met on the gird-iron was when Georgia defeated Notre Dame, 17-10, in the 1981 Sugar Bowl, to clinch the national championship.
3* Tonight at 7:00 PM ET, Georgia’s volleyball team will be in Davidson, N.C., taking on Davidson in the Davidson Wildcat Classic. They will continue playing in this classic tomorrow, when taking on Wofford at 10:00 AM ET and Florida Gulf Coast at 4:00 PM ET.
4* Georgia’s soccer team will be in Birmingham, Al. to face Samford tonight at 8:00 PM ET, before returning home to play Coastal Carolina for the first time ever, Sunday at 2:00 PM ET at the Turner Soccer Complex.
5* Georgia’s cross country teams will be the UGA Golf Course tomorrow, hosting Texas A&M, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina and Georgia Tech in the Bulldog Southeastern Conference Preview.
The men will run an 8,000-meter course at 8:30 AM ET. The women will follow at 9:15 AM ET with a 6,000m race.
Admission is free and parking will be available at the UGA Golf Course. The first 100 fans in attendance will be treated to free donuts and juice at the UGA Promotions table.
6* Former Kennesaw State baseball standout Richard Lovelady has been named as the Kansas City Royals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Lovelady, who hails from Hinesville, Ga., was selected in the 10th round (313 overall) by the Royals in 2016’s MLB Draft and has put up impressive numbers since joining the organization.
The 22-year-old left-hander has spent time with the organization’s Wilmington Blue Rocks (A-Advanced) and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Double-A) this season.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Thursday, September 7, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Over at SunTrust Park yesterday, the Atlanta Braves played a day-night doubleheader versus the Texas Rangers, losing game one by a score of 12-8, but winning game two by a score of 5-4 to close-out the three game interleague series with one win.
In the matinee, Braves left-hand pitcher Luiz Gohara, a 21-year-old native of Brazil who was making his MLB debut, lost a 4-2 lead in the fourth and was relieved for giving up four hits and walking four, while striking out six en route to allowing six total runs over the four innings he pitched.
In the nightcap, first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a two-run double during the Braves’ five-run second inning, to help Julio Teheran, who gave up three runs, five walks and five hits in five innings, win his second straight home game.
The Braves will now wrap up their seven game homestand beginning with the first of four games versus the Miami Marlins, at 7:35 ET tonight. Left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb will start for the Braves, and righthand pitcher Dan Straily will start for the Marlins.
2* After playing three matches in San Diego, California, Georgia Tech’s volleyball team will look to end its three-game losing streak when hosting the Georgia Tech Invitational at O'Keefe Gymnasium.
Georgia Tech’s first match in the Invitational is at 6:00 ET tonight versus Xavier, followed by North Florida taking on Kansas State at 8:00 PM ET.
Georgia Tech’s second match in the Invitational is at 1:00 PM ET tomorrow versus North Florida, after Kansas State plays Xavier at 11 AM ET.
Georgia Tech’s third match in the Invitational is at 8:00 PM ET tomorrow versus Kansas State, after Xavier faces North Florida at 6:00 PM ET.
3* Kennesaw State men’s basketball team has added Texas Tech to their 2017-18 non-conference schedule. However, the game will be played in Lubbock, Texas, the home of Texas Tech, on December 13.
The Kennesaw State-Alabama State game originally slated for December 14th in Montgomery, Alabama will now be rescheduled for a later date.
4* The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United announce the Row of Honor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Five lower level seats will be reserved for members of Atlanta’s police department and Atlanta’s fire rescue department at every Falcons and United home game.
The seat dedication, which will remain a staple inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium indefinitely, is a part of the Falcons and United’s continued commitment to giving back to those who serve.
5* UGA Bulldogs’ Chantal Van Landeghem has been chosen as one of the 30 finalists for the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, according to an announcement yesterday by the award’s selection committee.
The top 30 honorees - including 10 from the NCAA’s I, II and III divisions - have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. They represent 12 sports and a wide range of academic majors.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1* Over at SunTrust Park yesterday, the Atlanta Braves played a day-night doubleheader versus the Texas Rangers, losing game one by a score of 12-8, but winning game two by a score of 5-4 to close-out the three game interleague series with one win.
In the matinee, Braves left-hand pitcher Luiz Gohara, a 21-year-old native of Brazil who was making his MLB debut, lost a 4-2 lead in the fourth and was relieved for giving up four hits and walking four, while striking out six en route to allowing six total runs over the four innings he pitched.
In the nightcap, first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a two-run double during the Braves’ five-run second inning, to help Julio Teheran, who gave up three runs, five walks and five hits in five innings, win his second straight home game.
The Braves will now wrap up their seven game homestand beginning with the first of four games versus the Miami Marlins, at 7:35 ET tonight. Left-hand pitcher Sean Newcomb will start for the Braves, and righthand pitcher Dan Straily will start for the Marlins.
2* After playing three matches in San Diego, California, Georgia Tech’s volleyball team will look to end its three-game losing streak when hosting the Georgia Tech Invitational at O'Keefe Gymnasium.
Georgia Tech’s first match in the Invitational is at 6:00 ET tonight versus Xavier, followed by North Florida taking on Kansas State at 8:00 PM ET.
Georgia Tech’s second match in the Invitational is at 1:00 PM ET tomorrow versus North Florida, after Kansas State plays Xavier at 11 AM ET.
Georgia Tech’s third match in the Invitational is at 8:00 PM ET tomorrow versus Kansas State, after Xavier faces North Florida at 6:00 PM ET.
3* Kennesaw State men’s basketball team has added Texas Tech to their 2017-18 non-conference schedule. However, the game will be played in Lubbock, Texas, the home of Texas Tech, on December 13.
The Kennesaw State-Alabama State game originally slated for December 14th in Montgomery, Alabama will now be rescheduled for a later date.
4* The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United announce the Row of Honor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Five lower level seats will be reserved for members of Atlanta’s police department and Atlanta’s fire rescue department at every Falcons and United home game.
The seat dedication, which will remain a staple inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium indefinitely, is a part of the Falcons and United’s continued commitment to giving back to those who serve.
5* UGA Bulldogs’ Chantal Van Landeghem has been chosen as one of the 30 finalists for the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, according to an announcement yesterday by the award’s selection committee.
The top 30 honorees - including 10 from the NCAA’s I, II and III divisions - have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. They represent 12 sports and a wide range of academic majors.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Friday, August 25, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
UGA senior Kevin Litherland helped the United States earn a silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay today at the World University Games at the Taiwan Sport University Arena.
Litherland swam the second leg in prelims in a time of 1:50.11 to help propel the Americans to an overall time of 7:19.25.
However, in the finals Japan won the gold medal for posting a time of 7:08.45, followed by the USA’s silver medal winning time of 7:19:25 and Russia’s bronze medal winning time of 7:13.47.
The swimming portion of the World University Games continues tomorrow and will conclude on Sunday.
2*
At 7:35 Eastern Time tonight, the Atlanta Braves will be at SunTrust Park looking to defeat the Colorado Rockies for its fourth win in eight games.
In this first game of a three-game set, airing live on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Chad Bettis.
3*
Tomorrow night at 7:00 Eastern Time, the Atlanta Dream will host the Indiana Fever in a game airing live on Fox Sports Southeast and NBA League Pass.
This past Wednesday, the Dream snapped its nine-game losing streak and staved off being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. However, to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Dream must defeat the Fever, who will arrive at McCamish Pavillion depleted and having lost five in a row and 10 of 11 overall.
The Dream not only need to defeat the Fever, they need the Dallas Wings to lose a couple of its last games to have any shot at the postseason.
With three games left in the regular season, the Dream are three games behind the Wings for the eighth and final playoff spot.
4*
At 7:00 PM Eastern Time tomorrow, in a game airing live on FOX Sports Southeast, the Atlanta United will look to resume its winning ways when taking on the Union at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium.
5*
In preseason NFL football, tomorrow at 7:00 PM Eastern Time the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals will open Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The all-time preseason record between these two teams is tied at two games each, with the Falcons winning two of the last three preseason games.
The game will air live locally on WUPA, CW69.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
UGA senior Kevin Litherland helped the United States earn a silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay today at the World University Games at the Taiwan Sport University Arena.
Litherland swam the second leg in prelims in a time of 1:50.11 to help propel the Americans to an overall time of 7:19.25.
However, in the finals Japan won the gold medal for posting a time of 7:08.45, followed by the USA’s silver medal winning time of 7:19:25 and Russia’s bronze medal winning time of 7:13.47.
The swimming portion of the World University Games continues tomorrow and will conclude on Sunday.
2*
At 7:35 Eastern Time tonight, the Atlanta Braves will be at SunTrust Park looking to defeat the Colorado Rockies for its fourth win in eight games.
In this first game of a three-game set, airing live on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Chad Bettis.
3*
Tomorrow night at 7:00 Eastern Time, the Atlanta Dream will host the Indiana Fever in a game airing live on Fox Sports Southeast and NBA League Pass.
This past Wednesday, the Dream snapped its nine-game losing streak and staved off being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. However, to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Dream must defeat the Fever, who will arrive at McCamish Pavillion depleted and having lost five in a row and 10 of 11 overall.
The Dream not only need to defeat the Fever, they need the Dallas Wings to lose a couple of its last games to have any shot at the postseason.
With three games left in the regular season, the Dream are three games behind the Wings for the eighth and final playoff spot.
4*
At 7:00 PM Eastern Time tomorrow, in a game airing live on FOX Sports Southeast, the Atlanta United will look to resume its winning ways when taking on the Union at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium.
5*
In preseason NFL football, tomorrow at 7:00 PM Eastern Time the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals will open Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The all-time preseason record between these two teams is tied at two games each, with the Falcons winning two of the last three preseason games.
The game will air live locally on WUPA, CW69.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Thursday, August 24, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night in our nation’s capital, 11,972 soccer fans at RFK Stadium saw the Atlanta United take a 1-0 loss from D.C. United, thus becoming a part of Major League Soccer history as a result.
D.C.’s lone goal came when Atlanta’s Michael Parkhurst deflected the ball the wrong way from close range, one minute into the second half. It’s the second time in five days that D.C. has claimed a 1-0 victory on an own goal, marking the first time in Major League Soccer’s 21-year history that a team has won consecutive 1-0 matches on own goals. Last Saturday in Denver, D.C. defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 with an own goal.
Atlanta will be back on the pitch 7:00 PM Eastern Time Saturday, when taking on the Union in a road match at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium.
2*
Last night at McCamish Pavillion, Breanna Stewart led the Seattle Storm in scoring with a game-high 18 points, but it was the Atlanta Dream’s Sancho Lyttle’s 18 points and Layshia Clarendon’s team-record 14 assists that helped the Dream defeat the Storm 89-83 and end its nine-game losing streak.
The Dream will now need to win the remaining three games on its regular season schedule to reach the playoffs, while hoping the Chicago Sky, with five games remaining on its regular season schedule, and the Dallas Wings, with three games left on their regular season schedule, take a really bad fall in the standings.
The first of the Dream’s last three regular season games is their last home game of the regular season, 6:00 PM Eastern Time Saturday at McCamish Pavillion, against the Indiana Fever.
3*
Last night at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 9-6 loss from the Seattle Mariners. And having now lost two of three games in this series, the Braves have this day off. They will be back on the diamond when hosting the Colorado Rockies, in the first of three final games in this homestand, 7:35 Eastern Time tomorrow night.
Starting on the mound for the Braves will be righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Chad Bettis.
4*
Five representatives of Georgia women’s golf program will open play in the first stage of LPGA Qualifying School today. The first of the three stages to earn LPGA status will be a 72-hole tournament in Rancho Mirage, California.
Included among the 361 competitors are former UGA golfer Bulldogs Harang Lee and Marta Silva Zamora. UGA junior golfers Jillian Hollis, Rinko Mitsunaga and Bailey Tardy will also be among the competitors.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night in our nation’s capital, 11,972 soccer fans at RFK Stadium saw the Atlanta United take a 1-0 loss from D.C. United, thus becoming a part of Major League Soccer history as a result.
D.C.’s lone goal came when Atlanta’s Michael Parkhurst deflected the ball the wrong way from close range, one minute into the second half. It’s the second time in five days that D.C. has claimed a 1-0 victory on an own goal, marking the first time in Major League Soccer’s 21-year history that a team has won consecutive 1-0 matches on own goals. Last Saturday in Denver, D.C. defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 with an own goal.
Atlanta will be back on the pitch 7:00 PM Eastern Time Saturday, when taking on the Union in a road match at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium.
2*
Last night at McCamish Pavillion, Breanna Stewart led the Seattle Storm in scoring with a game-high 18 points, but it was the Atlanta Dream’s Sancho Lyttle’s 18 points and Layshia Clarendon’s team-record 14 assists that helped the Dream defeat the Storm 89-83 and end its nine-game losing streak.
The Dream will now need to win the remaining three games on its regular season schedule to reach the playoffs, while hoping the Chicago Sky, with five games remaining on its regular season schedule, and the Dallas Wings, with three games left on their regular season schedule, take a really bad fall in the standings.
The first of the Dream’s last three regular season games is their last home game of the regular season, 6:00 PM Eastern Time Saturday at McCamish Pavillion, against the Indiana Fever.
3*
Last night at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves took a 9-6 loss from the Seattle Mariners. And having now lost two of three games in this series, the Braves have this day off. They will be back on the diamond when hosting the Colorado Rockies, in the first of three final games in this homestand, 7:35 Eastern Time tomorrow night.
Starting on the mound for the Braves will be righthand pitcher Julio Teheran. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Chad Bettis.
4*
Five representatives of Georgia women’s golf program will open play in the first stage of LPGA Qualifying School today. The first of the three stages to earn LPGA status will be a 72-hole tournament in Rancho Mirage, California.
Included among the 361 competitors are former UGA golfer Bulldogs Harang Lee and Marta Silva Zamora. UGA junior golfers Jillian Hollis, Rinko Mitsunaga and Bailey Tardy will also be among the competitors.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Wednesday, August 23, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
At SunTrust Park last night, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-0, behind rookie righthand pitcher Lucas Sims, a 23-year-old native of suburban Atlanta, allowing just three hits over six innings on the way to winning his first game in Atlanta and second straight game overall, after losing his first three.
The Braves will now look to win its second consecutive game and second game in this three-game series at 7:35 tomorrow night.
Starting for the Braves will be righthand pitcher R.A. Dickey. The Mariner will start righthand pitcher Erasmo Ramirez.
2*
In a game airing live on NBA TV, 7:00 PM Eastern Time tonight, the Atlanta Dream will look to end its nine-game losing streak and stay in contention for the eighth and final playoff spot when taking on the Seattle Storm at McCamish Pavillion.
3*
Tonight, the Atlanta United will look to add to its a six-match unbeaten streak, when in our nation’s capital to face off against Eastern Conference opponent D.C. United for their third matchup of the season. Kickoff is at 7:30 Eastern Time.
You can see all the action between these two United teams live on FOX Sports South or FOX Sports GO.
4*
Over on the flats, changes were made to the tournament schedule for Georgia Tech volleyball’s Hyatt Regency Invitational this weekend at O’Keefe Gymnasium. This Saturday, the morning matches will move up one hour, with Tech facing Furman at 10:00 Eastern Time, before Auburn plays Michigan State at noon.
The full tournament schedule is as follows:
Friday, Aug. 25
6 p.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Auburn
8 p.m. – Michigan State vs. Furman
Saturday, Aug. 26
10 a.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Furman
12 p.m. – Michigan State vs. Auburn
6 p.m. – Auburn vs. Furman
8 p.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Michigan State
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
At SunTrust Park last night, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-0, behind rookie righthand pitcher Lucas Sims, a 23-year-old native of suburban Atlanta, allowing just three hits over six innings on the way to winning his first game in Atlanta and second straight game overall, after losing his first three.
The Braves will now look to win its second consecutive game and second game in this three-game series at 7:35 tomorrow night.
Starting for the Braves will be righthand pitcher R.A. Dickey. The Mariner will start righthand pitcher Erasmo Ramirez.
2*
In a game airing live on NBA TV, 7:00 PM Eastern Time tonight, the Atlanta Dream will look to end its nine-game losing streak and stay in contention for the eighth and final playoff spot when taking on the Seattle Storm at McCamish Pavillion.
3*
Tonight, the Atlanta United will look to add to its a six-match unbeaten streak, when in our nation’s capital to face off against Eastern Conference opponent D.C. United for their third matchup of the season. Kickoff is at 7:30 Eastern Time.
You can see all the action between these two United teams live on FOX Sports South or FOX Sports GO.
4*
Over on the flats, changes were made to the tournament schedule for Georgia Tech volleyball’s Hyatt Regency Invitational this weekend at O’Keefe Gymnasium. This Saturday, the morning matches will move up one hour, with Tech facing Furman at 10:00 Eastern Time, before Auburn plays Michigan State at noon.
The full tournament schedule is as follows:
Friday, Aug. 25
6 p.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Auburn
8 p.m. – Michigan State vs. Furman
Saturday, Aug. 26
10 a.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Furman
12 p.m. – Michigan State vs. Auburn
6 p.m. – Auburn vs. Furman
8 p.m. – Georgia Tech vs. Michigan State
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Tuesday, August 22, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
In the fourth game of their nine-game SunTrust Field homestand, the Atlanta Braves took a 6-5 loss in the first game of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners.
Braves starting righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, whose pitching record this season is now 10-9, allowed the Mariners’ 31-year-old left-hand starting pitcher Andrew Albers the first hit and RBI of his career - in his first big league at-bat.
Albers, a rookie who is now undefeated in two starts, was acquired from the Braves for cash on August 11, after having spent most of this season with the Braves’ Triple-A club, where he amassed a 12-3 record.
Starting for the Braves in game-two of this series will be righthand pitcher Lucas Sims. The Mariners will start left-hand pitcher Marco Gonzalez.
2*
Last night, the G-Braves defeated the Bulls 9-0 in Durham. First pitch for game-two of this four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 Eastern Time tonight.
3*
In the annual German Supercup, Atlanta Hawks’ Dennis Schröder, Marco Belinelli and Nicolas Brussino played well for their respective native nationality.
In games against Russia, Poland and Serbia, Schröder, a German native, averaged 23 points and 5 assists while shooting 59 percent from the field (60 percent - 9-15 - from three-point range). Belinelli, an Italian native, averaged 16 points over three games, while shooting 45 percent (9-20) from three-point range, in the French-led Toulouse Tournament.
Meanwhile in South America, Brussino, an Argentine, scored 21 points versus Colombia and Uruguay.
Both Germany and Italy are preparing for EuroBasket, which begins Aug. 31. Italy plays three more games this week as part of the Acropolis Tournament in Greece.
4*
Nathan McCreary, who has held many broadcast roles for Kennesaw State athletics, will, for this football season, serve as KSU’s sideline reporter.
Chris Mooneyham and Brandon Joseph will also join KSU’s football broadcast team this season.
McCreary fills the position held by Art Eckman, who retired after two years of being the sideline reporter.
Eckman's career in broadcasting spanned three decades, and included stints at ESPN, the NBA, NFL, MLB, and locally at WXIA-TV. He had also served KSU Athletics in multiple public relations roles.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
In the fourth game of their nine-game SunTrust Field homestand, the Atlanta Braves took a 6-5 loss in the first game of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners.
Braves starting righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, whose pitching record this season is now 10-9, allowed the Mariners’ 31-year-old left-hand starting pitcher Andrew Albers the first hit and RBI of his career - in his first big league at-bat.
Albers, a rookie who is now undefeated in two starts, was acquired from the Braves for cash on August 11, after having spent most of this season with the Braves’ Triple-A club, where he amassed a 12-3 record.
Starting for the Braves in game-two of this series will be righthand pitcher Lucas Sims. The Mariners will start left-hand pitcher Marco Gonzalez.
2*
Last night, the G-Braves defeated the Bulls 9-0 in Durham. First pitch for game-two of this four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 Eastern Time tonight.
3*
In the annual German Supercup, Atlanta Hawks’ Dennis Schröder, Marco Belinelli and Nicolas Brussino played well for their respective native nationality.
In games against Russia, Poland and Serbia, Schröder, a German native, averaged 23 points and 5 assists while shooting 59 percent from the field (60 percent - 9-15 - from three-point range). Belinelli, an Italian native, averaged 16 points over three games, while shooting 45 percent (9-20) from three-point range, in the French-led Toulouse Tournament.
Meanwhile in South America, Brussino, an Argentine, scored 21 points versus Colombia and Uruguay.
Both Germany and Italy are preparing for EuroBasket, which begins Aug. 31. Italy plays three more games this week as part of the Acropolis Tournament in Greece.
4*
Nathan McCreary, who has held many broadcast roles for Kennesaw State athletics, will, for this football season, serve as KSU’s sideline reporter.
Chris Mooneyham and Brandon Joseph will also join KSU’s football broadcast team this season.
McCreary fills the position held by Art Eckman, who retired after two years of being the sideline reporter.
Eckman's career in broadcasting spanned three decades, and included stints at ESPN, the NBA, NFL, MLB, and locally at WXIA-TV. He had also served KSU Athletics in multiple public relations roles.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Monday, August 21, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 behind catcher Tyler Flowers’ grand slam, off Reds’ relief pitcher Drew Storen, highlighting a six-run fifth inning.
However, the victory is just the fourth for the Braves, in its last 13 games.
The Braves will now try to win its second consecutive game when hosting the Seattle Mariners, in an inter-league game at SunTrust Park, 7:35 PM Eastern Time tonight.
In this ninth game of the homestand and first game of this three-game series airing live on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz.
The Mariners, in their first game in Atlanta since 2014, will start left hand pitcher Andrew Albers, whom they acquired from the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett affiliate on August 11 of this year, in exchange for cash considerations.
2*
The UGA soccer team got its first win of the 2017 season by defeating High Point 1-0 yesterday afternoon at the Turner Soccer Complex.
The lone point came in the 71st minute, when Maddie Burdick assisted Caroline Chipman on an assist to Katie MacGinnitie, who kick the ball into the back of the net.
With a record of 1-1, UGA will now hit the road for the first time this season, for three games, when taking on the UNC Charlotte 49ers, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Friday, August 25 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
3*
When the UGA soccer team returns to the Turner Soccer Complex, 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday, September 3 to face the Clemson Tigers, after having played the Lipscomb Bisons in Nashville, Tennessee, 8:00 PM Eastern Time Friday, September 1, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the soccer games with a UGA soccer seatback.
The seatbacks are thick and comfortable, and can be purchased at the Fan Info table located in the plaza of the Turner Soccer Complex for $5 per game. You can also save $15 by purchasing a soccer seatback for all nine home matches of the season for a total of $30.
4*
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Atlanta Falcons took a 17-13 loss from the Steelers, whom they have now lost to in six of seven preseason games played.
En route to finishing the game with nine carries for 37 yards (a 4.1 yards per carry average), running back Terron Ward scored his second rushing touchdown of the preseason on the Falcons opening drive.
Rookie wide receiver Reggie Davis caught three passes for 74 yards, and now leads the team in receiving this preseason, with five receptions for 117 yards.
For the game, the Falcons logged 318 total yards on offense, including 289 passing yards, while booking 20 first downs for the entire game.
On defense, the Falcons held the Steelers to 189 total yards, while only allowing the Steelers to convert 15-percent of their third downs (2 of 15).
In helping the Falcons defense, rookie safety Quincy Mauger logged his first interception of this NFL preseason, as did their three-year veteran cornerback Akeem King.
Also, rookie defensive end Chris Odom recorded his first sack of this NFL preseason, by chasing Steelers rookie quarterback Joshua Dobbs out of bounds for a four-yard loss.
With a 0-2 preseason record, the Falcons will now look to get their first win of the 2017 NFL preseason when playing the first game in its new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, against the Arizona Cardinals. Kickoff for this game airing live on Atlanta’s WUPA-TV (CW69) is 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday, August 26.
5*
Yesterday in Taipei City, Taiwan, former UGA swimmer Taylor Dale and rising sophomore Veronica Burchill helped the United States earn medals in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the World University Games at the Taiwan Sport University Arena.
Dale, who completed his collegiate eligibility in March, earned a gold medal as a member of the men's relay. Dale swam in prelims and anchored the Americans in 49.58 as they qualified second in 3:17.08. In the finals, the Americans went 3:14.01 to top Italy's 3:15.24 and Russia's 3:15.78.
The United States women placed third with a time of 3:40.09. Burchill anchored the Americans' bronze relay and closed in 54.19. Canada won in 3:39.21, followed by Russia at 3:39.39.
Also yesterday, in the men's 100-meter backstroke semifinals, Dale placed second with a time of 54.10 to qualify for today's finals.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Yesterday at SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 behind catcher Tyler Flowers’ grand slam, off Reds’ relief pitcher Drew Storen, highlighting a six-run fifth inning.
However, the victory is just the fourth for the Braves, in its last 13 games.
The Braves will now try to win its second consecutive game when hosting the Seattle Mariners, in an inter-league game at SunTrust Park, 7:35 PM Eastern Time tonight.
In this ninth game of the homestand and first game of this three-game series airing live on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher Mike Foltynewicz.
The Mariners, in their first game in Atlanta since 2014, will start left hand pitcher Andrew Albers, whom they acquired from the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett affiliate on August 11 of this year, in exchange for cash considerations.
2*
The UGA soccer team got its first win of the 2017 season by defeating High Point 1-0 yesterday afternoon at the Turner Soccer Complex.
The lone point came in the 71st minute, when Maddie Burdick assisted Caroline Chipman on an assist to Katie MacGinnitie, who kick the ball into the back of the net.
With a record of 1-1, UGA will now hit the road for the first time this season, for three games, when taking on the UNC Charlotte 49ers, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Friday, August 25 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
3*
When the UGA soccer team returns to the Turner Soccer Complex, 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday, September 3 to face the Clemson Tigers, after having played the Lipscomb Bisons in Nashville, Tennessee, 8:00 PM Eastern Time Friday, September 1, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the soccer games with a UGA soccer seatback.
The seatbacks are thick and comfortable, and can be purchased at the Fan Info table located in the plaza of the Turner Soccer Complex for $5 per game. You can also save $15 by purchasing a soccer seatback for all nine home matches of the season for a total of $30.
4*
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Atlanta Falcons took a 17-13 loss from the Steelers, whom they have now lost to in six of seven preseason games played.
En route to finishing the game with nine carries for 37 yards (a 4.1 yards per carry average), running back Terron Ward scored his second rushing touchdown of the preseason on the Falcons opening drive.
Rookie wide receiver Reggie Davis caught three passes for 74 yards, and now leads the team in receiving this preseason, with five receptions for 117 yards.
For the game, the Falcons logged 318 total yards on offense, including 289 passing yards, while booking 20 first downs for the entire game.
On defense, the Falcons held the Steelers to 189 total yards, while only allowing the Steelers to convert 15-percent of their third downs (2 of 15).
In helping the Falcons defense, rookie safety Quincy Mauger logged his first interception of this NFL preseason, as did their three-year veteran cornerback Akeem King.
Also, rookie defensive end Chris Odom recorded his first sack of this NFL preseason, by chasing Steelers rookie quarterback Joshua Dobbs out of bounds for a four-yard loss.
With a 0-2 preseason record, the Falcons will now look to get their first win of the 2017 NFL preseason when playing the first game in its new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, against the Arizona Cardinals. Kickoff for this game airing live on Atlanta’s WUPA-TV (CW69) is 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday, August 26.
5*
Yesterday in Taipei City, Taiwan, former UGA swimmer Taylor Dale and rising sophomore Veronica Burchill helped the United States earn medals in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the World University Games at the Taiwan Sport University Arena.
Dale, who completed his collegiate eligibility in March, earned a gold medal as a member of the men's relay. Dale swam in prelims and anchored the Americans in 49.58 as they qualified second in 3:17.08. In the finals, the Americans went 3:14.01 to top Italy's 3:15.24 and Russia's 3:15.78.
The United States women placed third with a time of 3:40.09. Burchill anchored the Americans' bronze relay and closed in 54.19. Canada won in 3:39.21, followed by Russia at 3:39.39.
Also yesterday, in the men's 100-meter backstroke semifinals, Dale placed second with a time of 54.10 to qualify for today's finals.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Friday, August 18, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the Atlanta Braves have won their third game in 10 games played, in defeating the Rockies 10-4, behind centerfielder Ender Inciarte hitting two homers and first baseman Freddie Freeman hitting his longest home run of the season.
Having now ended their seven-game road trip, the Braves will now look forward to being at SunTrust Park for an eight-game homestand over nine days beginning at 7:35 tonight, against the Cincinnati Reds.
In this game airing on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher R.A. Dickey. The Reds will start righthand pitcher Sal Romano.
2*
Later today former Georgia Bulldog Damien Wilkins is expected sign a contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Wilkins is a nine-year NBA veteran who has played for six different NBA franchises, but he hasn’t played in a regular season NBA game since 2013.
3*
Speaking of the NBA, The Atlanta Hawks will open their NBA regular season schedule at 8:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday, October 18 against the Mavericks in Dallas, Texas.
However, the Hawks will play their first home game, and seventh game on its NBA regular season schedule, when taking on the Milwaukee Bucks, 3:30 PM Eastern Time Sunday, October 29 at Philips Arena.
4*
Speaking of Dallas, in a game airing live at 8:00 PM Eastern Time tomorrow on Fox Sports South and on Fox Sports Southwest, the Atlanta Dream will attempt to end their eight-game losing streak when in Dallas, Texas taking on the Wings.
5*
And, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced that its chapter network distributed more than $1 million in scholarships during a record-breaking 2017 award banquet season, which runs from January to July.
Covering more than 47 states (including the state of Georgia), 5,000 high schools and 500,000 student-athletes, the NFF chapters selected 3,500 football players, who on average boasted a 3.7 GPA, to receive scholarship the funds for being what the organization recognizes as the best and brightest football athletes for their combined excellence on the gridiron, in the classroom and as leaders in the community.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the Atlanta Braves have won their third game in 10 games played, in defeating the Rockies 10-4, behind centerfielder Ender Inciarte hitting two homers and first baseman Freddie Freeman hitting his longest home run of the season.
Having now ended their seven-game road trip, the Braves will now look forward to being at SunTrust Park for an eight-game homestand over nine days beginning at 7:35 tonight, against the Cincinnati Reds.
In this game airing on Fox Sports South, the Braves will start righthand pitcher R.A. Dickey. The Reds will start righthand pitcher Sal Romano.
2*
Later today former Georgia Bulldog Damien Wilkins is expected sign a contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Wilkins is a nine-year NBA veteran who has played for six different NBA franchises, but he hasn’t played in a regular season NBA game since 2013.
3*
Speaking of the NBA, The Atlanta Hawks will open their NBA regular season schedule at 8:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday, October 18 against the Mavericks in Dallas, Texas.
However, the Hawks will play their first home game, and seventh game on its NBA regular season schedule, when taking on the Milwaukee Bucks, 3:30 PM Eastern Time Sunday, October 29 at Philips Arena.
4*
Speaking of Dallas, in a game airing live at 8:00 PM Eastern Time tomorrow on Fox Sports South and on Fox Sports Southwest, the Atlanta Dream will attempt to end their eight-game losing streak when in Dallas, Texas taking on the Wings.
5*
And, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced that its chapter network distributed more than $1 million in scholarships during a record-breaking 2017 award banquet season, which runs from January to July.
Covering more than 47 states (including the state of Georgia), 5,000 high schools and 500,000 student-athletes, the NFF chapters selected 3,500 football players, who on average boasted a 3.7 GPA, to receive scholarship the funds for being what the organization recognizes as the best and brightest football athletes for their combined excellence on the gridiron, in the classroom and as leaders in the community.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Thursday, August 17, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the Atlanta Braves scored two runs in the sixth inning but it was not enough to overcome their 14-point deficit against the Rockies, who handed them a 17-2 loss.
The loss is the seventh in nine games for the Braves, who now look forward to the final game of their seven-game road trip and final game of their four-game series with the Rockies, today at 3:10 Eastern Time.
The Braves will start righthand pitcher Lucas Sims. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Jeff Hoffman.
2*
With eight newcomers, nine letter-winners from the 2016 team and head coach Sally Pol-ham-us, who is entering her fourth year at the helm, the Georgia State volleyball team will be on the court today at noon, taking on Mercer in its first and only exhibition match this season.
There is no admission fee for today’s event at the GSU Sports Arena, however the parking fee is $3.00 if parking in GSU’s G Deck, whose entrances are located at Courtland Street, Collins Street, and Central Avenue.
3*
Today Kennesaw State’s cross-country teams will begin preparing for the upcoming 2017 season.
The women’s team will return three runners from last year’s squad, including senior Saidah Grant, junior Caitlyn Farrell and sophomore Bonnie McKinnon, who will be joined by freshmen Morgan Haney, Katie Meyer and Reagan Poteet.
The men’s team will return three athletes from last year’s roster, including senior Jordan Hand, sophomore Will Has-se and redshirt-sophomore Logan Poteet, who will be joined by freshmen in Chase Kennedy, Ben Patterson and Colton Page.
4*
And, in news for the Atlanta University Center, Clark Atlanta University will be represented during this school year on the NCAA Division II Management Council by its Athletics Director J. Lin Dawson.
The Management Council is charged with recommending administrative policy and regulations that govern NCAA Division II.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the Atlanta Braves scored two runs in the sixth inning but it was not enough to overcome their 14-point deficit against the Rockies, who handed them a 17-2 loss.
The loss is the seventh in nine games for the Braves, who now look forward to the final game of their seven-game road trip and final game of their four-game series with the Rockies, today at 3:10 Eastern Time.
The Braves will start righthand pitcher Lucas Sims. The Rockies will start righthand pitcher Jeff Hoffman.
2*
With eight newcomers, nine letter-winners from the 2016 team and head coach Sally Pol-ham-us, who is entering her fourth year at the helm, the Georgia State volleyball team will be on the court today at noon, taking on Mercer in its first and only exhibition match this season.
There is no admission fee for today’s event at the GSU Sports Arena, however the parking fee is $3.00 if parking in GSU’s G Deck, whose entrances are located at Courtland Street, Collins Street, and Central Avenue.
3*
Today Kennesaw State’s cross-country teams will begin preparing for the upcoming 2017 season.
The women’s team will return three runners from last year’s squad, including senior Saidah Grant, junior Caitlyn Farrell and sophomore Bonnie McKinnon, who will be joined by freshmen Morgan Haney, Katie Meyer and Reagan Poteet.
The men’s team will return three athletes from last year’s roster, including senior Jordan Hand, sophomore Will Has-se and redshirt-sophomore Logan Poteet, who will be joined by freshmen in Chase Kennedy, Ben Patterson and Colton Page.
4*
And, in news for the Atlanta University Center, Clark Atlanta University will be represented during this school year on the NCAA Division II Management Council by its Athletics Director J. Lin Dawson.
The Management Council is charged with recommending administrative policy and regulations that govern NCAA Division II.
-WATB/WGFS-
WATB/WGFS’s Sports Report For Wednesday, August 16, 2017
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night in Denver, Colorado, second baseman Brandon Phillips scored on an eighth inning error that broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the Rockies. The win snapped the Braves’ 11-game losing streak in Denver and gave them its second win in eight games played.
The Braves continue its seven-game road trip with its third game of the season versus the Rockies, at 8:40 ET tonight. The Braves will start righty Mike Foltynewicz. The Rockies will start righty Jon Gray.
2*
Last night at McCamish Pavilion, the shorthanded Atlanta Dream took a 96-75 loss from the Connecticut Sun.
The Dream, who were minus its leading scorer Tiffany Hayes due to a rib injury, fell to the Sun for the first time in Atlanta since June 7, 2015.
The Dream’s Brittney Sykes scored 23 points for her fifth 20-plus game in her rookie season, after scoring a season-best 28 points in her prior game. Layshia Clarendon missed all eight of her field-goal attempts but led the Dream with 11 assists.
The Dream will now be on the court when in Dallas, Texas playing the Wings, live on Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Southwest and NBA TV, 8:00 PM ET Saturday, August 19.
3*
Today, the Sun Belt Conference recognized 189 Georgia State student-athletes for academic superiority, including 105 Panthers on the SBC Commissioner’s List and another 84 persons on the SBC Honor Roll.
GSU had a spring semester that saw a record 3.30-grade point average. Last week, GSU saw its men’s golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball and cross-country programs earn the SBC’s Team GPA Award. All were all honored by the SBC for having the best GPA of any team within their specific sport.
GSU’s cross-country team topped all GSU programs with a 3.86 GPA. And, GSU’s men’s golf team earned the Golf Coaches Association of America National Academic Championship.
4*
And, at the end of practice yesterday, UGA head football coach Kirby Smart offered his condolences to the family of Frank Boyles. Boyles, who was best known as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ head football coach, passed away three days ago due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
“I’d like to send my condolences to the Broyles family. First of all, a great college football family. It meant a lot to me to win that award named after Frank Broyles, and also his grandson Lex and I were good friends in college. So, I just wanted to send my condolences out to the family for their loss and really all of college football’s loss,” said Smart.
-WATB/WGFS-
By WATB/WGFS Sports Director Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
1*
Last night in Denver, Colorado, second baseman Brandon Phillips scored on an eighth inning error that broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the Rockies. The win snapped the Braves’ 11-game losing streak in Denver and gave them its second win in eight games played.
The Braves continue its seven-game road trip with its third game of the season versus the Rockies, at 8:40 ET tonight. The Braves will start righty Mike Foltynewicz. The Rockies will start righty Jon Gray.
2*
Last night at McCamish Pavilion, the shorthanded Atlanta Dream took a 96-75 loss from the Connecticut Sun.
The Dream, who were minus its leading scorer Tiffany Hayes due to a rib injury, fell to the Sun for the first time in Atlanta since June 7, 2015.
The Dream’s Brittney Sykes scored 23 points for her fifth 20-plus game in her rookie season, after scoring a season-best 28 points in her prior game. Layshia Clarendon missed all eight of her field-goal attempts but led the Dream with 11 assists.
The Dream will now be on the court when in Dallas, Texas playing the Wings, live on Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Southwest and NBA TV, 8:00 PM ET Saturday, August 19.
3*
Today, the Sun Belt Conference recognized 189 Georgia State student-athletes for academic superiority, including 105 Panthers on the SBC Commissioner’s List and another 84 persons on the SBC Honor Roll.
GSU had a spring semester that saw a record 3.30-grade point average. Last week, GSU saw its men’s golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball and cross-country programs earn the SBC’s Team GPA Award. All were all honored by the SBC for having the best GPA of any team within their specific sport.
GSU’s cross-country team topped all GSU programs with a 3.86 GPA. And, GSU’s men’s golf team earned the Golf Coaches Association of America National Academic Championship.
4*
And, at the end of practice yesterday, UGA head football coach Kirby Smart offered his condolences to the family of Frank Boyles. Boyles, who was best known as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ head football coach, passed away three days ago due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
“I’d like to send my condolences to the Broyles family. First of all, a great college football family. It meant a lot to me to win that award named after Frank Broyles, and also his grandson Lex and I were good friends in college. So, I just wanted to send my condolences out to the family for their loss and really all of college football’s loss,” said Smart.
-WATB/WGFS-
DREAM MOVE TO .500, UP IN THE STANDINGS WITH WIN VS. WINGS
By John “J.J.” Jurjevich
1420 AM-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. (SUNDAY, July 9, 2017) - The Atlanta Dream defeated the Dallas Wings Sunday, 98-78, at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Ga., moving them to 8-8 on the season, while dropping the Wings to 9-10 on the season.
The Dream came into this game not only looking to get its second consecutive win, but to also go 2-0 in this two-game homestand, improve to .500 on the season and move from fourth to third in the WNBA Eastern Conference standings.
“Great! We’re at .500, a top three team, then they’re is everybody else in that big chuck,” said Dream guard Brittney Sykes, referring to the three teams behind them in the standings.
And the Dream accomplished its goals on the strength of 10 players who booked playing time, including Elizabeth Williams, Bria Holmes, Layshia Clarendon, Sykes and Tiffany Hayes who were the Dream’s only players to score in double figures, logging 13, 13, 16, 18 and 19 points respectively.
“We just wanted to attack on offence. We just wanted to push the tempo. We wanted to set the pace. We want other teams to play at Atlanta Dream’s pace,” said Sykes.
As a team, the Dream made 35 of 76 (46.1 percent) field goals, versus the Wings (9-10) making 25 of 77 (32.5 percent) field goal. And, in doing so, the Dream also made 23 of 28 (82.1 percent) foul shots, versus the Wings making 21 of 29 (72.4 percent) free throws.
“You can win or lose championships by missing free throws, and were going to make ours,” said Dream head coach Michael Cooper.
Also, the Dream scored 22 of its total points off the Wings’ 17 turnovers.
The Dream will now head out west to take on the Mercury (10-6), 10 PM ET Wednesday, July 12, for a game that will air live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, in Phoenix, Az., on League Pass and Fox Sports Arizona.
Afterwards, in a game that will air live on NBATV and Joe TV, the Dream will tip off against the Storm 9 PM ET Saturday, July 15 at Key Arena in Seattle, WA, to close out its two-game road trip before retuning home to McCamish Pavilion, Tuesday July 18 to take on the San Antonio Stars in a game that will air live on NBATV and Fox Sports South, 11:30 AM ET.
-1420 AM WATB-
By John “J.J.” Jurjevich
1420 AM-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. (SUNDAY, July 9, 2017) - The Atlanta Dream defeated the Dallas Wings Sunday, 98-78, at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Ga., moving them to 8-8 on the season, while dropping the Wings to 9-10 on the season.
The Dream came into this game not only looking to get its second consecutive win, but to also go 2-0 in this two-game homestand, improve to .500 on the season and move from fourth to third in the WNBA Eastern Conference standings.
“Great! We’re at .500, a top three team, then they’re is everybody else in that big chuck,” said Dream guard Brittney Sykes, referring to the three teams behind them in the standings.
And the Dream accomplished its goals on the strength of 10 players who booked playing time, including Elizabeth Williams, Bria Holmes, Layshia Clarendon, Sykes and Tiffany Hayes who were the Dream’s only players to score in double figures, logging 13, 13, 16, 18 and 19 points respectively.
“We just wanted to attack on offence. We just wanted to push the tempo. We wanted to set the pace. We want other teams to play at Atlanta Dream’s pace,” said Sykes.
As a team, the Dream made 35 of 76 (46.1 percent) field goals, versus the Wings (9-10) making 25 of 77 (32.5 percent) field goal. And, in doing so, the Dream also made 23 of 28 (82.1 percent) foul shots, versus the Wings making 21 of 29 (72.4 percent) free throws.
“You can win or lose championships by missing free throws, and were going to make ours,” said Dream head coach Michael Cooper.
Also, the Dream scored 22 of its total points off the Wings’ 17 turnovers.
The Dream will now head out west to take on the Mercury (10-6), 10 PM ET Wednesday, July 12, for a game that will air live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, in Phoenix, Az., on League Pass and Fox Sports Arizona.
Afterwards, in a game that will air live on NBATV and Joe TV, the Dream will tip off against the Storm 9 PM ET Saturday, July 15 at Key Arena in Seattle, WA, to close out its two-game road trip before retuning home to McCamish Pavilion, Tuesday July 18 to take on the San Antonio Stars in a game that will air live on NBATV and Fox Sports South, 11:30 AM ET.
-1420 AM WATB-
BULLDOGS WIN SERIES VS. KENTUCKY, ACHIEVING WHAT NO TEAM HAS THIS YEAR
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SUNDAY, May 7, 2017) – Late in the course of any collegiate athletic season, freshmen tend to play like sophomores, sophomores tend to play like juniors, juniors tend to play like seniors, and seniors tend to play like professional rookies.
And with its freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors doing that, the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 6-3 on Sunday, May 8.
Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the second with L.J. Talley’s leadoff homer coming on his 20th birthday, which was also his second homer this season and the third for his career.
But, having a runner on first and second with one out in the second, Kentucky was daring to tie the score, if not take the lead, when Cam Shepherd snagged a line-drive for a 6-4 double-play to end the inning.
Kentucky eventually took the lead, going up 2-1, when Kevin Smith gave up a leadoff homer in the seventh. But, that would the only time Kentucky led, as Georgia came back with five runs in the eighth, behind Tucker Bradley reaching on a bunt, then moving to second on Shepherd’s sac bunt, which was followed by Michael Curry’s double scoring Bradley.
Then, after Keegan McGovern’s walk and Talley’s infield single loaded the bags, Mitchell Webb gave Georgia a 6-2 lead, with his wind-aided grand-slam over the left field wall.
Webb’s first ever grand-slam was his fourth homer this season and seventh in his UGA career; and it was just the sixth grand-slam in Georgia’s history, but its first since 1982.
“Both of those guys (Michael Curry and Mitchell Webb) had big, big hits. Michael hammered his ball to tie the game, and Mitchell got down two strikes against their closer, and he came though too. He’s a hard worker and again came through in the biggest of situations, and I’m happy for them and all the guys,” said Bulldogs head coach Scott Strickland.
But, Kentucky capped the scoring, with a run in the ninth, before Georgia did what few teams, if no team, had done this season.
The win no only improved Georgia to 19-29 (7-17 SEC) this season, while handing fourth ranked Kentucky (32-16, 15-9 SEC) its third loss in five games, it also gave the Bulldogs its first series win over a top five team since winning the last two games of a three-game series versus South Carolina last year in Athens; and, this season, it’s Georgia’s fourth three-game series win (third series win on the road), making them just the third team this season to win at least two of three games in a series versus Kentucky, but the only team this season to do so against them at Lexington, Kentucky’s Cliff Hagan Stadium.
“Our defense was really good today and all weekend. We turned four double plays (today) and you watched our guys just growing up and playing with some confidence,” said Strickland. “We competed well against the No. 4 team in the country and won a series here on their field.”
“Also, what Kevin Smith was able to do after closing it out Friday with a save and getting a win today, going seven innings against their lineup, that was outstanding.”
-TFZ-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SUNDAY, May 7, 2017) – Late in the course of any collegiate athletic season, freshmen tend to play like sophomores, sophomores tend to play like juniors, juniors tend to play like seniors, and seniors tend to play like professional rookies.
And with its freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors doing that, the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 6-3 on Sunday, May 8.
Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the second with L.J. Talley’s leadoff homer coming on his 20th birthday, which was also his second homer this season and the third for his career.
But, having a runner on first and second with one out in the second, Kentucky was daring to tie the score, if not take the lead, when Cam Shepherd snagged a line-drive for a 6-4 double-play to end the inning.
Kentucky eventually took the lead, going up 2-1, when Kevin Smith gave up a leadoff homer in the seventh. But, that would the only time Kentucky led, as Georgia came back with five runs in the eighth, behind Tucker Bradley reaching on a bunt, then moving to second on Shepherd’s sac bunt, which was followed by Michael Curry’s double scoring Bradley.
Then, after Keegan McGovern’s walk and Talley’s infield single loaded the bags, Mitchell Webb gave Georgia a 6-2 lead, with his wind-aided grand-slam over the left field wall.
Webb’s first ever grand-slam was his fourth homer this season and seventh in his UGA career; and it was just the sixth grand-slam in Georgia’s history, but its first since 1982.
“Both of those guys (Michael Curry and Mitchell Webb) had big, big hits. Michael hammered his ball to tie the game, and Mitchell got down two strikes against their closer, and he came though too. He’s a hard worker and again came through in the biggest of situations, and I’m happy for them and all the guys,” said Bulldogs head coach Scott Strickland.
But, Kentucky capped the scoring, with a run in the ninth, before Georgia did what few teams, if no team, had done this season.
The win no only improved Georgia to 19-29 (7-17 SEC) this season, while handing fourth ranked Kentucky (32-16, 15-9 SEC) its third loss in five games, it also gave the Bulldogs its first series win over a top five team since winning the last two games of a three-game series versus South Carolina last year in Athens; and, this season, it’s Georgia’s fourth three-game series win (third series win on the road), making them just the third team this season to win at least two of three games in a series versus Kentucky, but the only team this season to do so against them at Lexington, Kentucky’s Cliff Hagan Stadium.
“Our defense was really good today and all weekend. We turned four double plays (today) and you watched our guys just growing up and playing with some confidence,” said Strickland. “We competed well against the No. 4 team in the country and won a series here on their field.”
“Also, what Kevin Smith was able to do after closing it out Friday with a save and getting a win today, going seven innings against their lineup, that was outstanding.”
-TFZ-
BULLDOGS’ LOSS TIES THREE-GAME SERIES VS. KENTUCKY
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SATURDAY, May 6, 2017) – After defeating the Kentucky Wildcats Friday afternoon, the Georgia Bulldogs took a 7-4 loss from the Wildcats Saturday evening, thus allowing this three-game SEC baseball series, at Lexington, Kentucky’s Cliff Hagan Stadium, to be tied with one win for each team.
This game was tied until Kentucky scored four runs in the third, then another in the fourth, before Georgia’s Mitchell Webb homered (his third this season) in the fifth to break up Kentucky’s Zach Logue’s bid for a no-hit shutout.
Then, after Kentucky made the score 6-1 in the fifth, the young, scrappy Bulldogs showed true grit and tenacity by scoring three more runs in the top of seventh, cutting Kentucky’s lead to two, when Keegan McGovern’s double and L.T. Talley’s one-out walk allowed them score on Tucker Maxwell’s two-out homer (his fifth this season).
“We got the momentum back. Tucker Maxwell had a really good at bat there, said Bulldogs’ head coach Scott Strickland. “With a couple of guys on base, its six to one, Tucker puts a good swing on [the ball], and makes it 6-4. We then get two more guys on base, we got Cam Shepard up with a 2-0 count, and we’re one swing away from taking the lead. So, we put ourselves in a good position.”
However, the Bulldogs would score no more, as the Wildcats closed out the scoring with a run of their own in the seventh.
Georgia (18-29, 6-17 SEC) will have a chance to become just the third team this season to win a three-game series versus Kentucky (32-15, 15-8 SEC), and the only team to win a series against them in Lexington this season, when then the two teams meet at 1:00 PM ET tomorrow for a game airing live on SEC Network plus.
“Justin Lewis will throw for them, and he’s very good,” said Strickland, who will name his starting pitcher a few hours before game time. “But, their line-up’s really good. It’s a veteran team. And they know how to play. So, we got our hands full. But, we got a chance to win a road series against a top five team. So, we’ll be ready to play.”
-TFZ-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SATURDAY, May 6, 2017) – After defeating the Kentucky Wildcats Friday afternoon, the Georgia Bulldogs took a 7-4 loss from the Wildcats Saturday evening, thus allowing this three-game SEC baseball series, at Lexington, Kentucky’s Cliff Hagan Stadium, to be tied with one win for each team.
This game was tied until Kentucky scored four runs in the third, then another in the fourth, before Georgia’s Mitchell Webb homered (his third this season) in the fifth to break up Kentucky’s Zach Logue’s bid for a no-hit shutout.
Then, after Kentucky made the score 6-1 in the fifth, the young, scrappy Bulldogs showed true grit and tenacity by scoring three more runs in the top of seventh, cutting Kentucky’s lead to two, when Keegan McGovern’s double and L.T. Talley’s one-out walk allowed them score on Tucker Maxwell’s two-out homer (his fifth this season).
“We got the momentum back. Tucker Maxwell had a really good at bat there, said Bulldogs’ head coach Scott Strickland. “With a couple of guys on base, its six to one, Tucker puts a good swing on [the ball], and makes it 6-4. We then get two more guys on base, we got Cam Shepard up with a 2-0 count, and we’re one swing away from taking the lead. So, we put ourselves in a good position.”
However, the Bulldogs would score no more, as the Wildcats closed out the scoring with a run of their own in the seventh.
Georgia (18-29, 6-17 SEC) will have a chance to become just the third team this season to win a three-game series versus Kentucky (32-15, 15-8 SEC), and the only team to win a series against them in Lexington this season, when then the two teams meet at 1:00 PM ET tomorrow for a game airing live on SEC Network plus.
“Justin Lewis will throw for them, and he’s very good,” said Strickland, who will name his starting pitcher a few hours before game time. “But, their line-up’s really good. It’s a veteran team. And they know how to play. So, we got our hands full. But, we got a chance to win a road series against a top five team. So, we’ll be ready to play.”
-TFZ-
BULLDOGS SNAP LOSING STREAK DOING WHAT FEW HAVE DONE VS. KENTUCKY
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FRIDAY, May 5, 2017) – It’s been said time after time that at times, no matter how talented a team is, it’s better to be lucky than good. And this was the case when the Georgia Bulldogs won game-one of their three-game SEC weekend baseball series versus the No. 4 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, by a score of 5-3, at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.
With Andrew Gist starting on the hill for Georgia, the game remained scoreless until the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, behind Tucker Maxwell scoring on Cam Shepard’s 4-3 sac, after reaching first on a single, second on Austin Biggar’s 1-3 sac bunt, then third on Tucker Bradley’s single.
“Andrew Gist did a great job. Our defense was really good early. We made some very good plays. (Kentucky) had great at bats, but we were able to rob them of a couple of hits, and I thought that gave us a little momentum,” said Bulldogs head coach Scott Strickland. “But Andrew Gist was the story early on. He got us to the seventh inning, pitching really well.”
Though Kentucky tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, before taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth, the young, scrappy Bulldogs hung tough against the cagy, veteran Wildcats, as they went back on top in the top of the ninth.
It was in that inning when the Bulldogs’ L.J. Talley singled, then moved to third on Maxwell’s two-out doubled, which allowed the pair to score when Biggar reached first on an E-6 by the Wildcats’ Connor Heady.
The Bulldogs then added two more runs in the ninth, when Biggar moved to second on Bradley’s single, which was follow by an E-9 on the Wildcats’ Tristan Pompey, that allowed Shepard to reach second and Biggar and Bradley to score.
After Gist pitched the first 6.2 innings, Zac Kirstofak pitched 1.1 innings for the Bulldogs before Kevin Smith came in to get the save, but not before the Wildcats threatened with a double and a single, before striking out, prior to two walking, which allowed Heady to score the Wildcats’ final run, that was charged to Kirstofak.
The win snapped the Bulldogs three-game losing streak, and gave the Wildcats only its fourth home loss this season and its second loss in three games.
“Zac Kirstofak came in out of the bullpen, but though he did give up a run, it was kind of a tough-luck run on a bloop, we just found a way to hang in there in the ninth, against one of the best relievers in the country, in (Logan) Salow, on the mound.” said Strickland.
“Kentucky’s a great team. They’re ranked number four in the country for a reason. We knew it was going to be really tough, to come in here and get a win. But [the coaching staff] challenged our kids last night, to make sure they were ready to play and play their best this weekend. And to do everything they can to put their best out there on the field, and I thought they did that. I thought we played great defensively, and those big at bats late in the game was the difference.
-WATB/FanZone-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
WATB/FanZone
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FRIDAY, May 5, 2017) – It’s been said time after time that at times, no matter how talented a team is, it’s better to be lucky than good. And this was the case when the Georgia Bulldogs won game-one of their three-game SEC weekend baseball series versus the No. 4 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, by a score of 5-3, at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.
With Andrew Gist starting on the hill for Georgia, the game remained scoreless until the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, behind Tucker Maxwell scoring on Cam Shepard’s 4-3 sac, after reaching first on a single, second on Austin Biggar’s 1-3 sac bunt, then third on Tucker Bradley’s single.
“Andrew Gist did a great job. Our defense was really good early. We made some very good plays. (Kentucky) had great at bats, but we were able to rob them of a couple of hits, and I thought that gave us a little momentum,” said Bulldogs head coach Scott Strickland. “But Andrew Gist was the story early on. He got us to the seventh inning, pitching really well.”
Though Kentucky tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, before taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth, the young, scrappy Bulldogs hung tough against the cagy, veteran Wildcats, as they went back on top in the top of the ninth.
It was in that inning when the Bulldogs’ L.J. Talley singled, then moved to third on Maxwell’s two-out doubled, which allowed the pair to score when Biggar reached first on an E-6 by the Wildcats’ Connor Heady.
The Bulldogs then added two more runs in the ninth, when Biggar moved to second on Bradley’s single, which was follow by an E-9 on the Wildcats’ Tristan Pompey, that allowed Shepard to reach second and Biggar and Bradley to score.
After Gist pitched the first 6.2 innings, Zac Kirstofak pitched 1.1 innings for the Bulldogs before Kevin Smith came in to get the save, but not before the Wildcats threatened with a double and a single, before striking out, prior to two walking, which allowed Heady to score the Wildcats’ final run, that was charged to Kirstofak.
The win snapped the Bulldogs three-game losing streak, and gave the Wildcats only its fourth home loss this season and its second loss in three games.
“Zac Kirstofak came in out of the bullpen, but though he did give up a run, it was kind of a tough-luck run on a bloop, we just found a way to hang in there in the ninth, against one of the best relievers in the country, in (Logan) Salow, on the mound.” said Strickland.
“Kentucky’s a great team. They’re ranked number four in the country for a reason. We knew it was going to be really tough, to come in here and get a win. But [the coaching staff] challenged our kids last night, to make sure they were ready to play and play their best this weekend. And to do everything they can to put their best out there on the field, and I thought they did that. I thought we played great defensively, and those big at bats late in the game was the difference.
-WATB/FanZone-
BULLDOGS LEAVE LEXINGTON TAMED AND EMBARRASSED
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SUNDAY, January 15, 2017) – In women’s college basketball, the Georgia Bulldogs traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for its second consecutive road game, seeking to avoid its second consecutive loss when falling 82-61 to the Kentucky Wildcats.
“We got better this week. [Our players] really worked hard, were committed to getting better defensively, and we really took a step forward [in that area], I believe. They put a lot of energy and effort into the preparation for Georgia,” said Kentucky’s head coach, Matthew Mitchell. “We have a lot of respect for Georgia. They have some very good players, well coached. We were just able to… jump on them today and get the upper hand quickly.”
Being shorthanded, Georgia needed all of its players, including forward Caliya Robinson, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 15.4 points per game and 52.6 percent field goal shooting, to go along with her team leading 34 blocks and five double-doubles; guard Pachis Roberts, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 7.4 rebounds per game and the second most points per game (13.1); and guard Haley Clark, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 67 assists for a per game average of 3.94, to be better than very good.
“I always say, I believe that the SEC, from top to bottom, is the toughest conference in the country,” said Georgia’s head coach, Joni Taylor. “…, people argue that but, night in and night out, if you don’t show up ready to go you’re going to get beaten and embarrassed.”
Was this an embarrassing loss? “Yes,” said Taylor.
“Kentucky is really good. They were clicking on all cylinders today. But, for this team, our next step was to handle the (South Carolina) loss and come back today and compete, and play well, and be locked into the game plan, and we didn’t do that.”
Georgia (10-8, 2-3 SEC) never led in this game, allowing Kentucky (12-6, 3-2 SEC) a 23-4 lead by the end of the first quarter, before falling behind by as much as 32 points, at 9:40 in the third quarter.
“Playing a really tough game on road Thursday, against South Carolina, where we showed really well and had a chance to win the game at the end, and then coming back today…, I’m not sure how mentally prepared [we] were,” said Taylor. “We have a young team. We have kids who’ve never been on the floor before in these situations, on the road back-to-back, and it showed early. We’ve gotten off to slow starts and we’ve been able to recover from that, but tonight we didn’t.”
After the first half, in which they made just 14.3 percent of their first quarter field goal attempts and 28.6 percent of their second quarter field goal attempts, Georgia outscore Kentucky 26-21 in the third quarter and 21-17 in fourth, but it was obviously not enough to overcome Kentucky’s 44-14 halftime lead.
“We wanted to win the third and fourth quarters, and we did,” said Taylor. “We came out and played much harder, we were more locked in, and we won both the third and fourth quarters, which is what we wanted to do, so the game wouldn’t continue [as it was]. We had to get it turned, and I thought [we] played with great effort in the third and fourth quarters. We just couldn’t overcome the deficit we put ourselves in.”
-TFZ-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SUNDAY, January 15, 2017) – In women’s college basketball, the Georgia Bulldogs traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for its second consecutive road game, seeking to avoid its second consecutive loss when falling 82-61 to the Kentucky Wildcats.
“We got better this week. [Our players] really worked hard, were committed to getting better defensively, and we really took a step forward [in that area], I believe. They put a lot of energy and effort into the preparation for Georgia,” said Kentucky’s head coach, Matthew Mitchell. “We have a lot of respect for Georgia. They have some very good players, well coached. We were just able to… jump on them today and get the upper hand quickly.”
Being shorthanded, Georgia needed all of its players, including forward Caliya Robinson, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 15.4 points per game and 52.6 percent field goal shooting, to go along with her team leading 34 blocks and five double-doubles; guard Pachis Roberts, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 7.4 rebounds per game and the second most points per game (13.1); and guard Haley Clark, who came into this game leading Georgia this season with 67 assists for a per game average of 3.94, to be better than very good.
“I always say, I believe that the SEC, from top to bottom, is the toughest conference in the country,” said Georgia’s head coach, Joni Taylor. “…, people argue that but, night in and night out, if you don’t show up ready to go you’re going to get beaten and embarrassed.”
Was this an embarrassing loss? “Yes,” said Taylor.
“Kentucky is really good. They were clicking on all cylinders today. But, for this team, our next step was to handle the (South Carolina) loss and come back today and compete, and play well, and be locked into the game plan, and we didn’t do that.”
Georgia (10-8, 2-3 SEC) never led in this game, allowing Kentucky (12-6, 3-2 SEC) a 23-4 lead by the end of the first quarter, before falling behind by as much as 32 points, at 9:40 in the third quarter.
“Playing a really tough game on road Thursday, against South Carolina, where we showed really well and had a chance to win the game at the end, and then coming back today…, I’m not sure how mentally prepared [we] were,” said Taylor. “We have a young team. We have kids who’ve never been on the floor before in these situations, on the road back-to-back, and it showed early. We’ve gotten off to slow starts and we’ve been able to recover from that, but tonight we didn’t.”
After the first half, in which they made just 14.3 percent of their first quarter field goal attempts and 28.6 percent of their second quarter field goal attempts, Georgia outscore Kentucky 26-21 in the third quarter and 21-17 in fourth, but it was obviously not enough to overcome Kentucky’s 44-14 halftime lead.
“We wanted to win the third and fourth quarters, and we did,” said Taylor. “We came out and played much harder, we were more locked in, and we won both the third and fourth quarters, which is what we wanted to do, so the game wouldn’t continue [as it was]. We had to get it turned, and I thought [we] played with great effort in the third and fourth quarters. We just couldn’t overcome the deficit we put ourselves in.”
-TFZ-
THE FIRST POLL IS HERE
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
HayWood Media
For what is believed to be the first time in the history of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) sports, a HBCU men’s basketball poll is available.
HayWood Media (HWM), in conjunction with Atlanta, Georgia’s 1420-AM, WATB radio, is producing the HWM/WATB HBCU Men’s Basketball Poll.
This poll will be published each Thursday in HWM’s Ebony-American Sports Digest and on www.thefanzone404.com, which is a subsidiary website of WATB’s primary website, www.watb1420.com.
“We are very pleased to produce such a poll for the enjoyment of those who follow HBCU basketball,” said HWM general manager Oscar Woodall. “This poll will help to give greater exposure to HBCU men’s basketball, much like those HBCU football polls have done for HBCU schools.”
According to Woodall, in due time you will be able to see this HBCU men’s basketball poll in other publications and websites as well.
“This is the greatest breakthrough since the SBN (Sheridan Broadcasting Network) football poll,” said WATB general manager Ben Vannoy. “Finally there will be something that is long overdue that will give HBCU men’s basketball greater exposure.”
Each team in the poll is ranked from 1-10 according to the total number of point accumulated each week.
Basically, each team accumulates points based on its strength of schedule, its record and how well they have played against their opponents.
“With this being a new poll, we expect to make adjustments as the season goes on,” said Woodall. “But in the end we will have something that we deem to be fair, balanced, just and exciting for the fans who follow HBCU basketball.”
-HWM-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
HayWood Media
For what is believed to be the first time in the history of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) sports, a HBCU men’s basketball poll is available.
HayWood Media (HWM), in conjunction with Atlanta, Georgia’s 1420-AM, WATB radio, is producing the HWM/WATB HBCU Men’s Basketball Poll.
This poll will be published each Thursday in HWM’s Ebony-American Sports Digest and on www.thefanzone404.com, which is a subsidiary website of WATB’s primary website, www.watb1420.com.
“We are very pleased to produce such a poll for the enjoyment of those who follow HBCU basketball,” said HWM general manager Oscar Woodall. “This poll will help to give greater exposure to HBCU men’s basketball, much like those HBCU football polls have done for HBCU schools.”
According to Woodall, in due time you will be able to see this HBCU men’s basketball poll in other publications and websites as well.
“This is the greatest breakthrough since the SBN (Sheridan Broadcasting Network) football poll,” said WATB general manager Ben Vannoy. “Finally there will be something that is long overdue that will give HBCU men’s basketball greater exposure.”
Each team in the poll is ranked from 1-10 according to the total number of point accumulated each week.
Basically, each team accumulates points based on its strength of schedule, its record and how well they have played against their opponents.
“With this being a new poll, we expect to make adjustments as the season goes on,” said Woodall. “But in the end we will have something that we deem to be fair, balanced, just and exciting for the fans who follow HBCU basketball.”
-HWM-
HWM/WATB's HBCU Men's Basketball Poll
For the Week Ending Saturday Jan. 7, 2017
Rank |
School |
Conference |
1 |
Chowan |
CIAA |
2 |
Virginia State |
CIAA |
3 |
Tennessee State |
OVC |
4 |
Virginia Union |
CIAA |
5 |
Lincoln, Mo. |
GLVC |
6 |
Claflin |
SIAC |
7 |
Langston |
RRAC |
8 |
N. Carolina Central |
MEAC |
9 |
Clark Atlanta |
MEAC |
10 |
St. Augustine's |
SIAC |
TURNOVERS WILL BE A BIG KEY FOR WINNING OR LOSING THE CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. – Come Saturday, December 31, in a game that will kickoff live on ESPN at 3:00 PM ET, the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0, 9-0 sec), this season’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) champions, they will face the NO. 4 ranked Washington Huskies (12-1, 8-1 Pac-12), this season’s champions of the Pacific Athletic Conference-12 (PAC-12), in the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, which is being played at Atlanta, Georgia’s Georgia Dome.
This game will be the last college football game played at the Dome, as the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will open and host the bowl game next season.
And, this is will be the Crimson Tide’s first game in the Georgia Dome, after having defeated the then 15th ranked Florida Gators, 54-16, in the SEC Championship game on December 3.
As for Alabama’s opponent, the Huskies are coming off a 41-10 win over the then eighth ranked Colorado Buffalos in the PAC-12 Championship game, on December 2.
Now, when it comes to what it will take to defeat Alabama, Washington must win the turnover battle, as they have done all season against its opponents to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with 33 takeaways.
Washington must also rely on its First Team All PAC-12 quarterback and PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year, Jake Browning, who in this season has thrown for 3,280 yards that has yielded 42 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions.
However Browning will be playing against an Alabama defense that has scored a total of 10 touchdowns this season, to go along with the four touchdowns scored by the Crimson Tide’s kick or punt return teams, for a team total of 14 non-offensive touchdowns.
Wide receiver John Ross and running back Myles Gaskin are the other offensive leaders for Washington this season, with Ross having 1,122 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, and Gaskin having 1,339 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Now, when it comes to what it will take to defeat Washington, Alabama must do what they have done all season; and that would be to produce a strong defensive effort, with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who has scored twice this season on fumble returns, leading the way.
Alabama must also not turn the ball over, as their freshman quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has done seven times since October 15th of this season, when fumbling.
In total, Hurts has turned the ball over 10 times since October 15th of this season, with his seven total fumbles being the most in the FBS since that time. Hurts also leads the FBS with five multi-turnover games since that time as well.
So, look for Hurts to handoff the ball often to running backs Damien Harris, who leads Alabama with 986 rushing yards, and Bo Scarbrough to wear down the Huskies defense and take control of the game.
For more sports news, interviews, opinions and analysis listen to the “The Fan Zone” Thursday mornings, 8:00 to 10:00 ET, and Saturday nights, 11:00 to midnight ET, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
-TFZ-
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. – Come Saturday, December 31, in a game that will kickoff live on ESPN at 3:00 PM ET, the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0, 9-0 sec), this season’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) champions, they will face the NO. 4 ranked Washington Huskies (12-1, 8-1 Pac-12), this season’s champions of the Pacific Athletic Conference-12 (PAC-12), in the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, which is being played at Atlanta, Georgia’s Georgia Dome.
This game will be the last college football game played at the Dome, as the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will open and host the bowl game next season.
And, this is will be the Crimson Tide’s first game in the Georgia Dome, after having defeated the then 15th ranked Florida Gators, 54-16, in the SEC Championship game on December 3.
As for Alabama’s opponent, the Huskies are coming off a 41-10 win over the then eighth ranked Colorado Buffalos in the PAC-12 Championship game, on December 2.
Now, when it comes to what it will take to defeat Alabama, Washington must win the turnover battle, as they have done all season against its opponents to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with 33 takeaways.
Washington must also rely on its First Team All PAC-12 quarterback and PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year, Jake Browning, who in this season has thrown for 3,280 yards that has yielded 42 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions.
However Browning will be playing against an Alabama defense that has scored a total of 10 touchdowns this season, to go along with the four touchdowns scored by the Crimson Tide’s kick or punt return teams, for a team total of 14 non-offensive touchdowns.
Wide receiver John Ross and running back Myles Gaskin are the other offensive leaders for Washington this season, with Ross having 1,122 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, and Gaskin having 1,339 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Now, when it comes to what it will take to defeat Washington, Alabama must do what they have done all season; and that would be to produce a strong defensive effort, with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who has scored twice this season on fumble returns, leading the way.
Alabama must also not turn the ball over, as their freshman quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has done seven times since October 15th of this season, when fumbling.
In total, Hurts has turned the ball over 10 times since October 15th of this season, with his seven total fumbles being the most in the FBS since that time. Hurts also leads the FBS with five multi-turnover games since that time as well.
So, look for Hurts to handoff the ball often to running backs Damien Harris, who leads Alabama with 986 rushing yards, and Bo Scarbrough to wear down the Huskies defense and take control of the game.
For more sports news, interviews, opinions and analysis listen to the “The Fan Zone” Thursday mornings, 8:00 to 10:00 ET, and Saturday nights, 11:00 to midnight ET, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
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GRAMBLING STATE HOLDS OFF N.C. CENTRAL, WINS 2ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION BOWL
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, AM1420-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. (SATURDAY, December 17, 2016) – At Atlanta, Georgia’s Georgia Dome, Grambling State University defeated North Carolina Central University 10-9 in the 2nd Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
Obviously, scoring was difficult, especially in the first half, as NCCU led 3-0 at halftime, behind kicker Brandon McLaren’s 23-yard field goal at 6:05 in the first quarter.
“They were fired up and really excited. We had a lot of momentum and help from the fans’ excitement, so the players were feeding off of the fans as well as being excited,” said NCCU head coach Jerry Mack, when asked, during his postgame news conference, if his team benefited from most of the fans cheering his team, as they led going into halftime. “The fans did a great job of getting loud and getting the guys rowdy.”
GSU seemed unfazed by that, committing one turnover for the game, which came when quarterback Devante Kincade’s pass was intercepted by safety Alden McClellon in the end-zone for a touchback, at 12:35 in the first quarter, followed by NCCU’s three turnovers for the game.
NCCU’s first turnover came when quarterback Malcolm Bell had a pass intercepted in the red zone, at 13:41 in the second quarter, by cornerback Deaumante Johnson.
After a 32-yard touchdown run, at 9:14 in the third quarter, by GSU running back Martez Carter, the game’s offensive MVP, NCCU’s second turnover came at 5:01 in the period when linebacker Arkez Cooper had his strip-sack of Bell recovered by linebacker Malcolm Williams.
NCCU’s third turnover came when Bell had a pass intercepted by safety Jameel Jackson, the game’s defensive MVP, at 5:41 in the fourth quarter.
However, of the three turnovers, only the fumble recovery led to points for GSU, which came when kicker Johnathan Wallace nailed a 26-yard field goal at 2:50 in the third quarter, capping a four-play, 16-yard drive in 2:11.
NCCU capped the game’s scoring, at 2:14 in the fourth quarter, on Bell’s 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Quentin Atkinson, capping a 5-play, 59-yard drive in 1:49.
However, NCCU failed to tie the game behind GSU defensive end Joseph McWilliams blocking McLaren’s extra point kick from the 35-yard line, put there for an excessive celebration penalty called on Atkinson after scoring.
“The extra point still should have been made if not for a missed blocked on McWilliams,” said Mack.
For the missed block on McWilliams, leading to the missed extra point kick, NCCU finished the season at 9-3, GSU finished 12-1.
“It’s a pleasure to be the Black College Nation Champions, and also finish the season undefeated (in conference/HBCU),” said GSU head coach Broderick Fobbs, during his postgame news conference. “We were able this year to win in many different ways. Today we ran the football effectively and was able to establish drives and put what we needed into the end zone.”
Get more sports news, interviews and analysis from the “The Fan Zone” Thursday mornings, 8:00 to 10:00 ET, and Saturday nights, 11:00 to midnight ET, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
-TFZ-
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, AM1420-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. (SATURDAY, December 17, 2016) – At Atlanta, Georgia’s Georgia Dome, Grambling State University defeated North Carolina Central University 10-9 in the 2nd Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
Obviously, scoring was difficult, especially in the first half, as NCCU led 3-0 at halftime, behind kicker Brandon McLaren’s 23-yard field goal at 6:05 in the first quarter.
“They were fired up and really excited. We had a lot of momentum and help from the fans’ excitement, so the players were feeding off of the fans as well as being excited,” said NCCU head coach Jerry Mack, when asked, during his postgame news conference, if his team benefited from most of the fans cheering his team, as they led going into halftime. “The fans did a great job of getting loud and getting the guys rowdy.”
GSU seemed unfazed by that, committing one turnover for the game, which came when quarterback Devante Kincade’s pass was intercepted by safety Alden McClellon in the end-zone for a touchback, at 12:35 in the first quarter, followed by NCCU’s three turnovers for the game.
NCCU’s first turnover came when quarterback Malcolm Bell had a pass intercepted in the red zone, at 13:41 in the second quarter, by cornerback Deaumante Johnson.
After a 32-yard touchdown run, at 9:14 in the third quarter, by GSU running back Martez Carter, the game’s offensive MVP, NCCU’s second turnover came at 5:01 in the period when linebacker Arkez Cooper had his strip-sack of Bell recovered by linebacker Malcolm Williams.
NCCU’s third turnover came when Bell had a pass intercepted by safety Jameel Jackson, the game’s defensive MVP, at 5:41 in the fourth quarter.
However, of the three turnovers, only the fumble recovery led to points for GSU, which came when kicker Johnathan Wallace nailed a 26-yard field goal at 2:50 in the third quarter, capping a four-play, 16-yard drive in 2:11.
NCCU capped the game’s scoring, at 2:14 in the fourth quarter, on Bell’s 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Quentin Atkinson, capping a 5-play, 59-yard drive in 1:49.
However, NCCU failed to tie the game behind GSU defensive end Joseph McWilliams blocking McLaren’s extra point kick from the 35-yard line, put there for an excessive celebration penalty called on Atkinson after scoring.
“The extra point still should have been made if not for a missed blocked on McWilliams,” said Mack.
For the missed block on McWilliams, leading to the missed extra point kick, NCCU finished the season at 9-3, GSU finished 12-1.
“It’s a pleasure to be the Black College Nation Champions, and also finish the season undefeated (in conference/HBCU),” said GSU head coach Broderick Fobbs, during his postgame news conference. “We were able this year to win in many different ways. Today we ran the football effectively and was able to establish drives and put what we needed into the end zone.”
Get more sports news, interviews and analysis from the “The Fan Zone” Thursday mornings, 8:00 to 10:00 ET, and Saturday nights, 11:00 to midnight ET, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
-TFZ-
N.C. CENTRAL, GRAMBLING STATE MEET IN 2ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION BOWL
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
ATLANTA, Ga. – In a game airing live on ABC TV from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., two Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) football powerhouses, the North Carolina Central (NCCU) Eagles and the Grambling State (GSU) Tigers, will face each other in the Second Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, noon ET Saturday, December 17.
NCCU (9-2, 8-0 MEAC) will come into the Celebration Bowl as the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Champions, GSU (11-1, 9-0 SWAC) will come into the game as the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Champions.
This bowl game, the first of 41 bowl games this season, will feature more than just two conference champions facing off against each other, this bowl game will come with a little extra, the Battle of the Bands at halftime, which is entertainment that will not be seen in the other bowl games.
In the past, HBCU schools have had similar bowl games to participate in, such as the Pioneer Bowl (1997-‘01, 2003-‘07 and 2009-‘12), Heritage Bowl (1991-‘99), Freedom Bowl (1984-‘86), and even the Pelican Bowl (1972, 1974-‘75).
But all of those games came to a relatively quick ending, due to lack of sponsorship and viewership, which won’t be the case this time because ESPN is running the show.
The Executive Director of the Celebration Bowl, John Grant, is excited to have the bowl game picked up by ESPN Events and about having the Air Force Reserve as a title sponsor for the bowl game, as he looks forward to this game being the marquee bowl game to start off the college bowl season.
NCCU’s key player has to be quarterback Malcolm Bell, a First Team All-MEAC selection who leads all MEAC players in accounting for 248.6 yards of total offense per game.
GSU’s key player has to be quarterback DeVante Kincade, who this season has thrown 28 touchdown passes versus only three interceptions for a 171.6 passer rating, which is good for third in the Football Championship Series (FCS).
Both teams have shared similarities this season, as both teams have lost to football bowl subdivision (FBS) teams and both teams are unbeaten in their respective conference.
GSU lost to Arizona, 31-21, early in the season, and NCCU has lost twice, once to Duke, 49-6, and to unbeaten Western Michigan, 70-21.
For college football fans, this will be one fun, heck of a game to watch, being that it will feature two conference champions, two great quarterbacks, pageantry and entertaining bands at halftime.
For more sporting news, commentary and interviews, listen to “The Fan Zone” each Thursday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and each Saturday night from 11:00 to midnight on 1420AM-WATB via the TuneIn radio app or via the internet at www.thefanzone404.com.
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TOP RANKED, NBA CALIBER KENTUCKY TOPS CLEVELAND STATE
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2016) – Thanksgiving Day eve, the top ranked Kentucky Wildcats were thankful for many things. But, safe to say, after defeating the Cleveland State Vikings 101-70 at Lexington, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena on Wednesday, they’re thankful it was an easy 40-minute college basketball game, not a difficult 48-minute NBA game, because they host the UT-Martin Skyhawks (5-1) 7:00 PM ET Friday, November 25.
The Wildcats (5-0), who led from the outset, opening up the scoring with a 16-2 run before leading by as much as 41 points with 6:00 minutes left to play, looked like a NBA caliber team. And Vikings head coach Gary Waters pointed that out during his postgame news conference, when asked about two of three Wildcat preseason All-America players, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk.
“Well, if the NBA had different rules, they would probably be there right now,” said Waters. “They are good basketball players – especially Fox. Fox is really hard to guard.”
Fox, one of two Wildcats to log a double-double in this game, with his 16 points and 11 assists, began this game leading the team in assists-to-turnovers ratio (3.0), assists per game (6.8), double-doubles (1), free throw shooting percentage (.897) and steals per game (1.8). He was also averaging 15.3 points per game, which was second best on the team.
Monk, who in this game led the Wildcats with 23 points, began this game leading the team in points per game (15.8) and three-point shots per game (3.0).
Edrice “Bam” Adebayo (a preseason All-America) and Wenyen Gabriel contributed 14 and 10 points respectively, but Gabriel added a game high 10 rebounds.
Sacha Killeya-Jones contributed five points, two rebounds and a block, in 11 minutes played.
“If you look at those five freshmen, probably all five will be in the draft,” said Waters, in reference to Kentucky’s five highly touted freshmen – Fox, Monk, Adebayo, Gabriel and Killeya-Jones.
Sophomore Robert Edwards, selected to the preseason All-Horizon League second team after being on the league’s All-Freshman team last season, scored a game high 28 points and junior Bobby Word, an Oral Roberts transfer, scored 14 points. They were the only players to log a double digit for the Vikings.
Freshman Evan Clayborne and junior Derek Sloan led the Vikings (1-3) with five rebounds each.
“We have a lot to work on. We just need to get personnel back so we can figure it out,” said Waters.
“I did feel good about Robert Edwards. He had a good game, but we can’t beat a team of (Kentucky’s) magnitude with just one person. You need a group of people to that. We have to get more people contributing offensively.”
Waters will work to have more people contributing offensively when his team plays the Duquesne Dukes (2-3) 2:00 PM ET Sunday, November 27, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s A.J. Palumbo Center.
Listen to The Fan Zone for more sports reports, analysis and guest interviews Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 10:00 and Saturday nights from 11:00 to midnight, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn radio app.
-TFZ
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2016) – Thanksgiving Day eve, the top ranked Kentucky Wildcats were thankful for many things. But, safe to say, after defeating the Cleveland State Vikings 101-70 at Lexington, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena on Wednesday, they’re thankful it was an easy 40-minute college basketball game, not a difficult 48-minute NBA game, because they host the UT-Martin Skyhawks (5-1) 7:00 PM ET Friday, November 25.
The Wildcats (5-0), who led from the outset, opening up the scoring with a 16-2 run before leading by as much as 41 points with 6:00 minutes left to play, looked like a NBA caliber team. And Vikings head coach Gary Waters pointed that out during his postgame news conference, when asked about two of three Wildcat preseason All-America players, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk.
“Well, if the NBA had different rules, they would probably be there right now,” said Waters. “They are good basketball players – especially Fox. Fox is really hard to guard.”
Fox, one of two Wildcats to log a double-double in this game, with his 16 points and 11 assists, began this game leading the team in assists-to-turnovers ratio (3.0), assists per game (6.8), double-doubles (1), free throw shooting percentage (.897) and steals per game (1.8). He was also averaging 15.3 points per game, which was second best on the team.
Monk, who in this game led the Wildcats with 23 points, began this game leading the team in points per game (15.8) and three-point shots per game (3.0).
Edrice “Bam” Adebayo (a preseason All-America) and Wenyen Gabriel contributed 14 and 10 points respectively, but Gabriel added a game high 10 rebounds.
Sacha Killeya-Jones contributed five points, two rebounds and a block, in 11 minutes played.
“If you look at those five freshmen, probably all five will be in the draft,” said Waters, in reference to Kentucky’s five highly touted freshmen – Fox, Monk, Adebayo, Gabriel and Killeya-Jones.
Sophomore Robert Edwards, selected to the preseason All-Horizon League second team after being on the league’s All-Freshman team last season, scored a game high 28 points and junior Bobby Word, an Oral Roberts transfer, scored 14 points. They were the only players to log a double digit for the Vikings.
Freshman Evan Clayborne and junior Derek Sloan led the Vikings (1-3) with five rebounds each.
“We have a lot to work on. We just need to get personnel back so we can figure it out,” said Waters.
“I did feel good about Robert Edwards. He had a good game, but we can’t beat a team of (Kentucky’s) magnitude with just one person. You need a group of people to that. We have to get more people contributing offensively.”
Waters will work to have more people contributing offensively when his team plays the Duquesne Dukes (2-3) 2:00 PM ET Sunday, November 27, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s A.J. Palumbo Center.
Listen to The Fan Zone for more sports reports, analysis and guest interviews Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 10:00 and Saturday nights from 11:00 to midnight, on 1420AM-WATB, via the TuneIn radio app.
-TFZ
DOGS VS. JACKETS WILL BE A GAME OF JUST GOOD, CLEAN, OLD FASHIONED HATE
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB
The Georgia Bulldogs will host its in state rival, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, this Saturday, November 26 at Athens, Georgia’s Sanford Stadium “between the hedges” noon ET, live on SEC Network.
Georgia (7-4, 4-4 SEC) and Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4 ACC) have played common opponents during this season, Vanderbilt and North Carolina, with Georgia losing to Vanderbilt 17-16, but defeating then No. 22 ranked North Carolina 33-24 on college football’s opening day.
Georgia Tech defeated Vanderbilt 38-7 then lost to then No. 21 ranked North Carolina 48-20.
In two out of the last three seasons these teams have played each other, the game has gone into overtime, with the Bulldogs winning the 2013 game, 41-34 in overtime, and the Yellow Jackets winning the 2014 game, 30-24 in overtime.
However, the Bulldogs won last year’s game 13-7 for a 65-38-5 all-time lead in this series that has been played every year since 1925.
This 109th meeting of Good, Clean, Ole Fashioned Hate, as this game has been dubbed, should be a dozy, as it usually is.
The Yellow Jackets’ success will depend upon how efficient they run their triple option attack, which averages 260.3 rushing yards per game this season, good for 9th in the country.
However, the Yellow Jackets have only 195 total first downs this season, which ranks 111th in the nation.
So, the Bulldogs defense, which prides itself on stopping the run, might have no worries, as they have held their opponents to just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt, which is good for 34th in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).
The Bulldogs are 94th in the nation in passing offense, while the Yellow Jackets passing game ranks 124th in the nation.
The Yellow Jackets’ defense has allowed over 240 passing yards per game this season, which means the Bulldogs should have a field day throwing the ball.
This should be one of the better games in the nation to watch this Saturday, with both teams being very evenly matched.
So, throw away the stats and just enjoy the game, because they mean nothing when these two teams meet between the hedges in Athens or on the flats in Atlanta.
For more college football reports and analysis, listen to “The Fan Zone” each Thursday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and each Saturday night from 11:00 to midnight on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio App.
-TFZ-
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB
The Georgia Bulldogs will host its in state rival, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, this Saturday, November 26 at Athens, Georgia’s Sanford Stadium “between the hedges” noon ET, live on SEC Network.
Georgia (7-4, 4-4 SEC) and Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4 ACC) have played common opponents during this season, Vanderbilt and North Carolina, with Georgia losing to Vanderbilt 17-16, but defeating then No. 22 ranked North Carolina 33-24 on college football’s opening day.
Georgia Tech defeated Vanderbilt 38-7 then lost to then No. 21 ranked North Carolina 48-20.
In two out of the last three seasons these teams have played each other, the game has gone into overtime, with the Bulldogs winning the 2013 game, 41-34 in overtime, and the Yellow Jackets winning the 2014 game, 30-24 in overtime.
However, the Bulldogs won last year’s game 13-7 for a 65-38-5 all-time lead in this series that has been played every year since 1925.
This 109th meeting of Good, Clean, Ole Fashioned Hate, as this game has been dubbed, should be a dozy, as it usually is.
The Yellow Jackets’ success will depend upon how efficient they run their triple option attack, which averages 260.3 rushing yards per game this season, good for 9th in the country.
However, the Yellow Jackets have only 195 total first downs this season, which ranks 111th in the nation.
So, the Bulldogs defense, which prides itself on stopping the run, might have no worries, as they have held their opponents to just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt, which is good for 34th in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).
The Bulldogs are 94th in the nation in passing offense, while the Yellow Jackets passing game ranks 124th in the nation.
The Yellow Jackets’ defense has allowed over 240 passing yards per game this season, which means the Bulldogs should have a field day throwing the ball.
This should be one of the better games in the nation to watch this Saturday, with both teams being very evenly matched.
So, throw away the stats and just enjoy the game, because they mean nothing when these two teams meet between the hedges in Athens or on the flats in Atlanta.
For more college football reports and analysis, listen to “The Fan Zone” each Thursday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and each Saturday night from 11:00 to midnight on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio App.
-TFZ-
BULLDOGS TAME RAGIN’ CAJUNS
By J.J. Jurjevich
HayWood Media
ATHENS, Ga. (SATURDAY, November 19, 2016) – Last Saturday, the Georgia (UGA) Bulldogs defeated the Louisiana- Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 35-21 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
The win moved the Bulldogs to 7-4 (4-4 SEC), while dropping the Ragin’ Cajuns to 4-6 (3-3 SBC).
The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first, scoring the game’s first two touchdowns behind Isaiah McKenzie’s 55-yard run at 14:37 in the first quarter and his 82-yard punt return with 8:30 left in the period.
The punt return touchdown was the fifth in McKenzie’s career, giving him the UGA record for punt return touchdowns.
“He does things right. If we block it right and set him up, he gets positive runs,” said Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart, about McKenzie. “He’s a tough kid and we’ve gotten a lot out of him.”
The Bulldogs then went up 21-0 at 2:50 in the second quarter, when Isaac Nauta scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason, before leading the Ragin’ Cajuns 21-7 at halftime.
“I thought we had good juice coming out,” said Smart. “Isaiah (McKenzie) had the great run and the great punt return, and I thought the defense started off well.
The Bulldogs, on the defensive end, forced four Ragin’ Cajun turnovers on the day.
The first of those came when Deandre Baker intercepted a pass at 14:17 of the first quarter, followed by Aaron Davis’ interception at 4:16 of the same period.
Reggie Carter then forced a fumble, recovered by Lorenzo Carter, at 5:13 in the second quarter, which helped to setup the Bulldogs’ third touchdown.
Then Malkom Parrish picked off a pass for the Bulldogs with 33 seconds left in the half.
The Bulldogs then went on to score 14 unanswered points on the strength of Nick Chubb’s one-yard touchdown run at 4:45 of the third quarter, followed by catching a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason at 9:34 in the fourth quarter.
“He runs hard and he’s hard to tackle,” said Smart. “I’d hate to be one of the guys trying to get him on the ground. You’re going to feel it in the morning.”
With the Bulldogs leading 35-7 Smart began making wholesale substitutions, electing to play a lot of the underclassmen, who gave up two touchdowns within the game’s last five minutes.
“We elected to play the subs and they did not execute well and that was disappointing,” said Smart, who was displeased with how the subs finished the game.
The subs might have a chance for redemption when the Bulldogs host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 4-4 ACC), in a game airing live from Sanford Stadium, on SEC Network, noon ET Saturday, November 26.
It will be the final game of this regular season for these bowl-bound teams, who will be playing to lay claim on the Governor’s Cup.
For more college football reports and analysis, listen to “The Fan Zone” each Thursday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and each Saturday night from 11:00 to midnight on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio App.
-HWM-
By J.J. Jurjevich
HayWood Media
ATHENS, Ga. (SATURDAY, November 19, 2016) – Last Saturday, the Georgia (UGA) Bulldogs defeated the Louisiana- Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 35-21 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
The win moved the Bulldogs to 7-4 (4-4 SEC), while dropping the Ragin’ Cajuns to 4-6 (3-3 SBC).
The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first, scoring the game’s first two touchdowns behind Isaiah McKenzie’s 55-yard run at 14:37 in the first quarter and his 82-yard punt return with 8:30 left in the period.
The punt return touchdown was the fifth in McKenzie’s career, giving him the UGA record for punt return touchdowns.
“He does things right. If we block it right and set him up, he gets positive runs,” said Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart, about McKenzie. “He’s a tough kid and we’ve gotten a lot out of him.”
The Bulldogs then went up 21-0 at 2:50 in the second quarter, when Isaac Nauta scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason, before leading the Ragin’ Cajuns 21-7 at halftime.
“I thought we had good juice coming out,” said Smart. “Isaiah (McKenzie) had the great run and the great punt return, and I thought the defense started off well.
The Bulldogs, on the defensive end, forced four Ragin’ Cajun turnovers on the day.
The first of those came when Deandre Baker intercepted a pass at 14:17 of the first quarter, followed by Aaron Davis’ interception at 4:16 of the same period.
Reggie Carter then forced a fumble, recovered by Lorenzo Carter, at 5:13 in the second quarter, which helped to setup the Bulldogs’ third touchdown.
Then Malkom Parrish picked off a pass for the Bulldogs with 33 seconds left in the half.
The Bulldogs then went on to score 14 unanswered points on the strength of Nick Chubb’s one-yard touchdown run at 4:45 of the third quarter, followed by catching a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason at 9:34 in the fourth quarter.
“He runs hard and he’s hard to tackle,” said Smart. “I’d hate to be one of the guys trying to get him on the ground. You’re going to feel it in the morning.”
With the Bulldogs leading 35-7 Smart began making wholesale substitutions, electing to play a lot of the underclassmen, who gave up two touchdowns within the game’s last five minutes.
“We elected to play the subs and they did not execute well and that was disappointing,” said Smart, who was displeased with how the subs finished the game.
The subs might have a chance for redemption when the Bulldogs host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 4-4 ACC), in a game airing live from Sanford Stadium, on SEC Network, noon ET Saturday, November 26.
It will be the final game of this regular season for these bowl-bound teams, who will be playing to lay claim on the Governor’s Cup.
For more college football reports and analysis, listen to “The Fan Zone” each Thursday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and each Saturday night from 11:00 to midnight on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio App.
-HWM-
UT-CHATTANOOGA LOOKS TO UPSET ALABAMA
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB
This Saturday, in a game that will air at 7:00 PM ET live on ESPN2, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs will be at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to take on the top ranked, undefeated (10-0, 7-0 SEC) Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Mocs, ranked 11th in the FCS poll, will be coming into this matchup, which dates back to 1908, with an 8-2 (6-2 SoCon) record. The two losses, both by eight points each, came against Southern Conference foes Wofford and The Citadel, who at the time was ranked 6th in the FCS poll.
The Mocs’ very stingy defense, led by linebacker Nakevion Leslie’s team high 88 tackles (48 unassisted), could cause a lot of trouble for Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, being that the Mocs lead the SoCon in defense this season, and have led the SoCon in defense the past three seasons.
The Mocs, who will be using a 4-2-5 base alignment on defense, are holding opponents to just slightly more than four yards per play offensively, and they have only given up seven touchdown passes to their opponents this season.
The Mocs have used a balanced scheme offensively this season to average 214.7 rushing yards per game and 211.8 yards per game through the air, for an average of 6.5 yards per play.
With the Crimson Tide knowing that this is a non-conference home game versus a FCS opponent and that they will be playing in the SEC Championship Game, live on CBS 4:00 PM ET Saturday, December 3rd, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Mocs could come away from Tuscaloosa with an upset victory, which will be their first ever win in 13 total meetings with the Crimson Tide.
Listen to “The Fan Zone” for more college football reports and analysis each Thursday morning from 8:00-10:00 ET on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
-The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB-
By J.J. Jurjevich
The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB
This Saturday, in a game that will air at 7:00 PM ET live on ESPN2, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs will be at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to take on the top ranked, undefeated (10-0, 7-0 SEC) Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Mocs, ranked 11th in the FCS poll, will be coming into this matchup, which dates back to 1908, with an 8-2 (6-2 SoCon) record. The two losses, both by eight points each, came against Southern Conference foes Wofford and The Citadel, who at the time was ranked 6th in the FCS poll.
The Mocs’ very stingy defense, led by linebacker Nakevion Leslie’s team high 88 tackles (48 unassisted), could cause a lot of trouble for Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, being that the Mocs lead the SoCon in defense this season, and have led the SoCon in defense the past three seasons.
The Mocs, who will be using a 4-2-5 base alignment on defense, are holding opponents to just slightly more than four yards per play offensively, and they have only given up seven touchdown passes to their opponents this season.
The Mocs have used a balanced scheme offensively this season to average 214.7 rushing yards per game and 211.8 yards per game through the air, for an average of 6.5 yards per play.
With the Crimson Tide knowing that this is a non-conference home game versus a FCS opponent and that they will be playing in the SEC Championship Game, live on CBS 4:00 PM ET Saturday, December 3rd, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Mocs could come away from Tuscaloosa with an upset victory, which will be their first ever win in 13 total meetings with the Crimson Tide.
Listen to “The Fan Zone” for more college football reports and analysis each Thursday morning from 8:00-10:00 ET on 1420-AM, WATB, via the TuneIn Radio app.
-The Fan Zone, 1420-AM, WATB-
UGA STEPS OUT OF SEC, SHOULD EXPECT DEFENSIVE BALLLE WITH RAGIN’ CAJUNS
By J.J. Jurjevich
HayWood Media/The Fan Zone
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off of the biggest victory they have had this season, a 13-7 win over the Auburn Tigers, one of their arch rivals in the Southeast Conference (SEC).
Defeating the ninth ranked Tigers revamped the Bulldogs’ season, giving them a 6-4 (4-4 SEC) record and a tie with the Kentucky Wildcats for third place in the SEC East.
But this Saturday at noon ET, in a game that will air live from Sanford Stadium on the SEC Network, the Bulldogs will be hosting the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns who are also coming off a big win, a 33-26 victory over Sun Belt Conference (SBC) foe Georgia Southern.
The Bulldogs are riding a two-game winning streak, whereas the Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-5 (3-3 SBC) for winning two of its last three games.
Though the Ragin’ Cajuns are up against steep odds, with a 5.1% chance of defeating the Bulldogs according to ESPN’s FPI (football power index), they are not a foe to be taken lightly.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have two upset wins this season, a 28-23 SBC home win over South Alabama and a 33-26 SBC road win over Georgia Southern.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line has struggled this season, therefore in this game they must, and probably will, rely on its running game, featuring junior tailbacks Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, to take the pressure off of freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.
But the Ragin’ Cajuns have shown that they can defend against the run, having held Georgia Southern to just 52 yards rushing, which was well below their 223.1 per game rushing average.
Overall, the Ragin’ Cajuns have the 21st best defense in the nation and Bulldogs have the 12th best defense in the nation, which means that this game could (and should) shape up to be a great defensive battle.
Listen to The Fan Zone for my college football postgame reports and analysis each Saturday, from 11:00 PM to midnight ET, on AM-1420, WATB, via the Tunein radio app.
-The Fan Zone/HWM-
By J.J. Jurjevich
HayWood Media/The Fan Zone
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off of the biggest victory they have had this season, a 13-7 win over the Auburn Tigers, one of their arch rivals in the Southeast Conference (SEC).
Defeating the ninth ranked Tigers revamped the Bulldogs’ season, giving them a 6-4 (4-4 SEC) record and a tie with the Kentucky Wildcats for third place in the SEC East.
But this Saturday at noon ET, in a game that will air live from Sanford Stadium on the SEC Network, the Bulldogs will be hosting the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns who are also coming off a big win, a 33-26 victory over Sun Belt Conference (SBC) foe Georgia Southern.
The Bulldogs are riding a two-game winning streak, whereas the Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-5 (3-3 SBC) for winning two of its last three games.
Though the Ragin’ Cajuns are up against steep odds, with a 5.1% chance of defeating the Bulldogs according to ESPN’s FPI (football power index), they are not a foe to be taken lightly.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have two upset wins this season, a 28-23 SBC home win over South Alabama and a 33-26 SBC road win over Georgia Southern.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line has struggled this season, therefore in this game they must, and probably will, rely on its running game, featuring junior tailbacks Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, to take the pressure off of freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.
But the Ragin’ Cajuns have shown that they can defend against the run, having held Georgia Southern to just 52 yards rushing, which was well below their 223.1 per game rushing average.
Overall, the Ragin’ Cajuns have the 21st best defense in the nation and Bulldogs have the 12th best defense in the nation, which means that this game could (and should) shape up to be a great defensive battle.
Listen to The Fan Zone for my college football postgame reports and analysis each Saturday, from 11:00 PM to midnight ET, on AM-1420, WATB, via the Tunein radio app.
-The Fan Zone/HWM-
GEORGIA BEATS KENTUCKY, INCREASING ITS ODDS OF BECOMING BOWL ELIGIBLE
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420 AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SATURDAY, October 5, 2016) – At Lexington, Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium last Saturday, Rodrigo Blankenship’s 25-yard field goal as time expired gave the Georgia Bulldogs a 27-24 win over the Kentucky Wildcats, to improve its chances of becoming bowl eligible, while keeping Kentucky one win away from being the same.
Though earlier this year Blankenship had lost his starting role as Georgia’s place kicker, head coach Kirby Smart confidently called on Blankenship to make the kick.
“He does that in practice. So, it’s easy to show confidence in a player who [does] things well in practice,” said Smart. “He has hit a lot of field goals in a row in practice… If he gets five shots, he’ll make all five and everyone goes nuts.”
Though Georgia scored first, taking a 7-0 lead at 10:54 in the first quarter behind Jacob Eason’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah McKenzie and Blankenship’s extra point kick, Kentucky (5-4, 4-3 SEC) led for most of the game.
After Kentucky tied the score at 7-7, with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, Georgia retook the lead, briefly, going up 10-7, at 12:26 in the second quarter.
But Kentucky bounced back, regaining the lead 2:38 later and holding it, as they went into halftime leading 14-13.
Kentucky then padded its lead, going up 21-13 at 9:15 in the third quarter.
Thereafter Georgia began chipping away at that lead, as they went up 24-21 with Blankenship’s 49-yard field goal at 5:07 in the third quarter and with Sony Michel’s 26-yard touchdown run, followed by Jacob Eason’s pass to Isaac Nauta for a two-point conversion, at 9:12 in the fourth and final period.
But, Kentucky was not finished scoring, tying the game at 24-24 with just 2:47 remaining before the game ended with the Blankenship’s final field goal.
“They never quit. They fight as hard as any group I’ve ever been around and they just challenge each other,” said Smart, about his team. “They challenge each other on the sideline and they respond when adversity hits.”
With just three regular season games left on its schedule, all at home (Sanford Stadium), Georgia (5-4, 3-4 SEC) needs just one more win to become bowl eligible.
And they will continue challenging each other to overcome adversity and fight for bowl eligibility, when taking on the No. 11 Auburn Tigers (7-2, 5-1 SEC), live on CBS, 3:30 PM ET Saturday, November 12.
-HWM-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
The Fan Zone, 1420 AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (SATURDAY, October 5, 2016) – At Lexington, Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium last Saturday, Rodrigo Blankenship’s 25-yard field goal as time expired gave the Georgia Bulldogs a 27-24 win over the Kentucky Wildcats, to improve its chances of becoming bowl eligible, while keeping Kentucky one win away from being the same.
Though earlier this year Blankenship had lost his starting role as Georgia’s place kicker, head coach Kirby Smart confidently called on Blankenship to make the kick.
“He does that in practice. So, it’s easy to show confidence in a player who [does] things well in practice,” said Smart. “He has hit a lot of field goals in a row in practice… If he gets five shots, he’ll make all five and everyone goes nuts.”
Though Georgia scored first, taking a 7-0 lead at 10:54 in the first quarter behind Jacob Eason’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah McKenzie and Blankenship’s extra point kick, Kentucky (5-4, 4-3 SEC) led for most of the game.
After Kentucky tied the score at 7-7, with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, Georgia retook the lead, briefly, going up 10-7, at 12:26 in the second quarter.
But Kentucky bounced back, regaining the lead 2:38 later and holding it, as they went into halftime leading 14-13.
Kentucky then padded its lead, going up 21-13 at 9:15 in the third quarter.
Thereafter Georgia began chipping away at that lead, as they went up 24-21 with Blankenship’s 49-yard field goal at 5:07 in the third quarter and with Sony Michel’s 26-yard touchdown run, followed by Jacob Eason’s pass to Isaac Nauta for a two-point conversion, at 9:12 in the fourth and final period.
But, Kentucky was not finished scoring, tying the game at 24-24 with just 2:47 remaining before the game ended with the Blankenship’s final field goal.
“They never quit. They fight as hard as any group I’ve ever been around and they just challenge each other,” said Smart, about his team. “They challenge each other on the sideline and they respond when adversity hits.”
With just three regular season games left on its schedule, all at home (Sanford Stadium), Georgia (5-4, 3-4 SEC) needs just one more win to become bowl eligible.
And they will continue challenging each other to overcome adversity and fight for bowl eligibility, when taking on the No. 11 Auburn Tigers (7-2, 5-1 SEC), live on CBS, 3:30 PM ET Saturday, November 12.
-HWM-
UGA WOMEN END SOCCER SEASON WITH A WIN AT KENTUCKY
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
Fan Zone, 1420 AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (THURSDAY, October 27, 2016) – The Georgia Bulldogs women’s soccer team was looking to bounce back from their 4-3 SEC home loss to the Missouri Tigers, when playing its final match of the 2016 season on the road against the Kentucky Wildcats. And the Bulldogs accomplished its goal, coming away with a 3-1 feel good win at the Bell Soccer Complex, in Lexington, Ky.
“It does make you feel good. But, unfortunately we’re not playing in the (SEC) tournament,” said Bulldogs head coach Billy Lesesne. “But, today I’m really proud of the way our players responded. This is actually our first win on the road (this season), so we accomplished several things in this one outing. And I’m really pleased with [our] effort today.”
After a scoreless first half that included one save by Bulldogs goalie Louise Hogrell and two saves by Kentucky goalie Ayanna Parker, 1,057 soccer fans in attendance saw the Bulldogs get on the scoreboard first, at 70:22 of the second half, when forward Marion Crowder assisted midfielder Mariel Gutierrez on a goal from the left side of the box.
The Bulldogs then made the score 2-0, at 73:16 of the second half, when Crowder assisted forward Kelsey Killean on a goal from the right side of the box.
“The first half was a little cagey,” said Lesesne. “In the second half, we changed our formation with a 4-2-3-1. We found a little bit more freedom, were able to finish a goal or two, and that just gave us a little more confidence.”
The Bulldogs then scored its final goal, at 86:39 of the second half, when forward Katie MacGinntie scored on an assist from Gutierrez.
“Mariel had a really good game,” said Lesesne. “The last assist, it was just an effort assist. She put herself in a position to play the ball back and Katie was able to finish it.
And Mariel’s first goal was really taken with good quality. She had a pretty big impact. And obviously, Marion stretches defenses. She made the critical pass that we needed, and we were able to finish on the end of that. So, kudos to both of those players.”
However, the Bulldogs couldn’t keep Kentucky (5-9-4, 1-7-3 SEC) off of the scoreboard, as the Wildcats finally scored, at 89:49 in the second half, with midfielder Katy Keen assisting on forward Jade Klump’s goal.
“Our goal keeper (Louise Hogrell), and staff, was a little disappointed [to not] get the shutout. But credit to Kentucky,” said Lesesne. “They executed on a set piece, something we work on every day. So, we were disappointed to give up a goal late there.”
Due to their record, Georgia (6-11-1, 3-8-0 SEC) is not eligible for postseason play this season.
“On the year, I think we outshot our opponents. But, we just haven’t finished as many as the other teams have,” said Lesesne. “So, sometimes it’s a little luck involved and sometimes its execution. The combination of those two things [hasn’t] been great for us this year. But again, we got better towards the end of the season.
However the Bulldogs are now looking forward to preparing for next season.
“But, certainly the win for us is a big thing for us. Hopefully it will spring board things for the spring and hopefully into the fall of next year,” said the Bulldogs head coach.
-HWM-
By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr.
Fan Zone, 1420 AM-WATB
LEXINGTON, Ky. (THURSDAY, October 27, 2016) – The Georgia Bulldogs women’s soccer team was looking to bounce back from their 4-3 SEC home loss to the Missouri Tigers, when playing its final match of the 2016 season on the road against the Kentucky Wildcats. And the Bulldogs accomplished its goal, coming away with a 3-1 feel good win at the Bell Soccer Complex, in Lexington, Ky.
“It does make you feel good. But, unfortunately we’re not playing in the (SEC) tournament,” said Bulldogs head coach Billy Lesesne. “But, today I’m really proud of the way our players responded. This is actually our first win on the road (this season), so we accomplished several things in this one outing. And I’m really pleased with [our] effort today.”
After a scoreless first half that included one save by Bulldogs goalie Louise Hogrell and two saves by Kentucky goalie Ayanna Parker, 1,057 soccer fans in attendance saw the Bulldogs get on the scoreboard first, at 70:22 of the second half, when forward Marion Crowder assisted midfielder Mariel Gutierrez on a goal from the left side of the box.
The Bulldogs then made the score 2-0, at 73:16 of the second half, when Crowder assisted forward Kelsey Killean on a goal from the right side of the box.
“The first half was a little cagey,” said Lesesne. “In the second half, we changed our formation with a 4-2-3-1. We found a little bit more freedom, were able to finish a goal or two, and that just gave us a little more confidence.”
The Bulldogs then scored its final goal, at 86:39 of the second half, when forward Katie MacGinntie scored on an assist from Gutierrez.
“Mariel had a really good game,” said Lesesne. “The last assist, it was just an effort assist. She put herself in a position to play the ball back and Katie was able to finish it.
And Mariel’s first goal was really taken with good quality. She had a pretty big impact. And obviously, Marion stretches defenses. She made the critical pass that we needed, and we were able to finish on the end of that. So, kudos to both of those players.”
However, the Bulldogs couldn’t keep Kentucky (5-9-4, 1-7-3 SEC) off of the scoreboard, as the Wildcats finally scored, at 89:49 in the second half, with midfielder Katy Keen assisting on forward Jade Klump’s goal.
“Our goal keeper (Louise Hogrell), and staff, was a little disappointed [to not] get the shutout. But credit to Kentucky,” said Lesesne. “They executed on a set piece, something we work on every day. So, we were disappointed to give up a goal late there.”
Due to their record, Georgia (6-11-1, 3-8-0 SEC) is not eligible for postseason play this season.
“On the year, I think we outshot our opponents. But, we just haven’t finished as many as the other teams have,” said Lesesne. “So, sometimes it’s a little luck involved and sometimes its execution. The combination of those two things [hasn’t] been great for us this year. But again, we got better towards the end of the season.
However the Bulldogs are now looking forward to preparing for next season.
“But, certainly the win for us is a big thing for us. Hopefully it will spring board things for the spring and hopefully into the fall of next year,” said the Bulldogs head coach.
-HWM-