Best Price: $49.95Bama Loses By 3 Runs At Mississippi
Taylor Dugas extended his hitting streak to an impressive eleven games. Alabama’s loss of the game came as the result of one poor inning: the fifth one.
The fifth inning proved to be too much for the Crimson Tide to overcome. The loss was the Tide’s second one in the series with Ole Miss at Swayze Field in Oxford. Kevin Mort was walked. Then Jake Smith made an error and that caused Adam Morgan to break down. The pitcher got behind in the pitch count and three out of the four next players got hits.
Ole Miss is 15-4 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. They turned the one-out walk as well as Bama’s error into Ole Miss’s only scores of the game. It is likely that Bama would have won this game had they not given up all those runs in that inning.
Brett Basham, Ole Miss’s catcher, reached base when Jake hit a ground ball and what would have been a double play to end the inning.
Jordan Henry as well as Tim Ferguson hit RBI singles that tied the game at 2 apiece. Morgan seemed to be getting ready to get out of the inning without any more damage. However, that didn’t happen. Power hit the ball to short but the Crimson Tide failed to get the double play. Henry came home. Jeremy Travis hit a two-run HR which gave the Rebels all the runs they would need.
People know that you can lose a game by simply giving up too many runs in only one inning. Also, the same is true if you give up many runs over the course of a game.
Morgan allowed five runs, even though four were unearned. He gave up five hits in a only 4 and 2/3 innings. This was Morgan’s only loss this season. It was the first loss that was charged to one of Alabama’s starting pitchers.
Alabama is 14-7 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. Bama scored a lone run early in the game. Josh Rutledge as well as Ross Wilson reached base because they were hit. Kent Matthes hit a RBI single to put the Tide up 1-0.
The Tide added another run in the top of the fifth inning as Smith hit a double. He eventually scored on Dugas’s single when there were two outs.
Alabama tried to respond. They put the first two players on base in the sixth inning.
Irwin limited the Tide’s hits to just five as he won his fourth game of the season. He is now 4-0. He pitched for over seven innings and gave up just two runs as well as five hits. He had five strikeouts, hit two batters, and gave up one walk.
The Tide’s best chance of getting back in the game was after they hit back-to-back hits with no outs. Unfortunately, the next three players stuck out in the inning. Actually, the last six players stuck out. Both teams had six hits in the game.
Baseball caps are not just worn to watch a baseball game anymore. Caps are a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes while watching any NCAA outdoor sporting event. Check out our selection of Alabama baseball caps and Ole Miss baseball caps for your next road trip or home game.
Kentucky Wins NCAA Basketball Championship
University of Kentucky basketball fans are really excited about the outcome of last night’s game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Did you watch it? It was one of the most exciting basketball games I have seen in a while.
At Sports Fan Treasures, we have been very busy adding all of the Commemorative memorabilia and limited edition collectibles. The phone rang so much from Kentucky fans that we literally had to run out and get new batteries. What a meltdown.
Anyways, we promised we would show you our best National Championship stuff by the EOD, so here is is:
2011 College Basketball Finals
Tonight is the night that thousands of college basketball fans will be tuning in to watching the National Championship game. It’s Kansas versus Kentucky (37-2) in the final. Kentucky is going for title number eight while Kansas is going for title number four.
For more highlights and stats on each team, see NCAA College Basketball tournament.
Leave us a comment on your prediction of which team you think will win and why.
Check out some of our fan favorite Kansas Jayhawks collectibles or Kentucky Wildcats collectibles. After the game we will be adding some limited edition collectibles from the Highland mint to commemorate the game and celebrate the winner.
Facebook Giveaway for March- North Carolina 2005 Championship Pennant
We have been taking inventory at SportsFanTreasures.com and have discovered many one of a kind items, discontinued items and overstocked items. Our staff thought we should have a Facebook Giveaway because they know our customers like to get cool stuff for free.
Next week we will be giving away a University of North Carolina 2005 Championship pennant from Winning Streak to one lucky winner! Here are the details about the product:
Officially licensed pennant made of high-quality wool blend fabric with embroidery and applique design. This championship pennant size is 32 inches long x 13 inches high. With this banner’s compelling combination of craftmanship and quality, it will be a great keepsake for years to come. This banner commemorates the 2005 Championship Mens NCAA Basketball Championship. Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price : $29.95
Here is some history on the UNC 2005 Championship, according to Wikipedia.com:
The 2005 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
North Carolina won its fourth national title with a 75-70 win in the championship game over Illinois. North Carolina’s Sean May was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
So, to enter to win this great prize, please do one or more of the following:
1. Comment on this blog post to let us know why you would like to win this pennant.
2. Like us on Facebook and comment as to why you would like to win.
3. Tweet about our Facebook giveaway, mentioning SportsFanTreasures.com and why you are a UNC basketball fan.
Click on this link to view the banner!
UNC Championship Pennant
Rules:
The winner will be shipped the pennant via US mail. The pennant will be shipped FREE only to those residing in the Continental US 48 states. The best comment or tweet will be selected by our staff. If there is a tie, we will give away more than one pennant.
Thanks in advance for participating in our University of North Carolina 2005 Championship pennant giveaway! Good luck!
Valentines Gifts for Her
The perfect gift for her is only a click away, if she is a sports fan that is. Shopping for her has never been easier for the perfect Valentine’s day gift. I am not talking about the ordinary bouquet of flowers, box of chocolates and romantic Valentine’s card. Sure those things make a girl happy too. But consider a heart watch with her favorite team logo. Now there is a gift she would love to wear on game day or maybe all the time.
Here is a description of the heart watch and it is available with hundreds of team logos:
The Heart Watch has a rhinestone case, which houses and protects the Miyota quartz movement, comes with a stainless steel back. The bracelet is also constructed out of a durable stainless steel. Features:
Alloy Case
38pcs CZ Stone
Stainless Steel Chain
Sunray Print Dial with Applied Indices
1 mic Gold Plating
Miyota« 2035 Movement
They are officially licensed by NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL. Order early to get them that special team wrist watch for her this Valentine’s Day.
Here are some of our most popular Officially Licensed ladies team watches:
Alabama Crimson Tide Heart Watch
New England Patriots Heart Watch
Dee Bost Came Through
Dee Bost has been stuck in a slump the past few weeks and Thursday night’s game against Tennessee—filled with missed shots and turnovers—was quickly becoming another one to forget.
Until the last play.
A tense final possession turned into a raucous celebration as Bost came up with a crucial steal and dunk in the final seconds and No. 20 Mississippi State survived a late scare to beat Tennessee 62-58 at Humphrey Coliseum.
“He’s been struggling some offensively, but you never fault his effort,” Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury said. “And his effort came up big for us at the end.”
Mississippi State guard Devill…
Mississippi State (14-3, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) avoided its first 0-2 start in league play since 2003. The Bulldogs led by 12 early in the second half, but Tennessee cut it to 60-58 on Renaldo Woolridge’s 3-pointer with 44.2 seconds remaining.
Tennessee got the ball back on a steal by Skylar McBee and had a chance to tie or win with less than 10 seconds remaining, but Bost slapped the ball away from Trae Golden and drove for the game-sealing dunk.
“I was trying to put as much pressure on him as I could,” Bost said. “I knew they were going to try and go to him and get him the shot.”
Bost, Renardo Sidney and Arnett Moultrie all scored 13 points for the Bulldogs.
Bost didn’t have a very good game until the final play, shooting 3 of 11 from the field and turning the ball over six times. But all that was forgotten as he dashed down the court, flushed the ball through the hoop with his right hand and listened to the crowd of 8,148 at Humphrey Coliseum roar its approval.
Tennessee (8-8, 1-1) was led by Golden, who had 20 points. Jeronne Maymon scored 13 and Kenny Hall added 12 off the bench.
“They’re big and athletic,” Hall said. “We were aggressive taking the ball to the basket, but that’s basketball, sometimes it happens like that.”
The Bulldogs’ defense was embarrassed in a 98-88 loss to Arkansas in Saturday’s conference opener, but they were much more stingy against the Volunteers. Wendell Lewis had five blocked shots and Moultrie added four as Tennessee had to work hard for almost all its points close to the basket.
Mississippi State took a 36-27 lead at halftime, shooting 52 percent (13 of 25) from the field. The Bulldogs managed to keep their offense moving despite early foul trouble for Bost—the team’s starting point guard who owns the school record for assists. But backup DeVille Smith did a decent imitation, with five assists in 15 first-half minutes.
MSU extended its lead to 12 early in the second half on a 3-pointer by Jalen Steele, but Tennessee fought back thanks to three 3-pointers by Golden and stifling defense that limited Mississippi State to 36 percent shooting in the second half.
“Golden got them back in that game—making those 3s,” Stansbury said. “But we stepped up when we had to. Made some shots and made our free throws.”
Tennessee was coming off its biggest win of the season—a 67-56 home victory over No. 13 Florida in the conference opener—but couldn’t find enough offense to keep the momentum going.
Golden shot 7 of 11 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. But he mishandled the ball on the final possession, trying to go between the legs with his dribble before Bost slapped the ball away and ended the Volunteers’ hopes for an upset.
“He slipped. I just watched the film,” Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin said. “He tried to go between his legs and he just slipped.”
Martin was pleased the Volunteers even had a chance on the final possession considering the situation looked bleak early in the second half.
“When you get down 10 on the road, it’s tough to hang in there, stick to the script and execute,” Martin said. “But I thought our guys did that.”
Alabama vs LSU
Painful though it may be, it is my duty to tell you that we must wait a few more days for No. 1 LSU to play No. 2 Alabama.
Both teams are off the week before, which is why the drumbeat around the shore of the Black Warrior River that runs beyond the Tuscaloosa campus already has begun. Tigers coach Les Miles admitted at his media conference after practice Tuesday evening that his team has been hearing the drums for some time.
“It’s been a few weeks there is something laying in the back of the accomplishment of this team that allowed them to get to these days, that allowed them to get to this opponent,” Miles said. “… I do believe this is college football, two great teams squaring off, something to play for. It’s fun.”
Whether there is a way to win the game this week is open to question. But there’s no doubt that either team could lose it. All of the players have to do is drink from the fire hose of excitement and tension that already is gushing.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said as much at a press conference following his team’s practice Tuesday. The challenge he faces, Saban said, is “to get our players not to think about everything that’s surrounding the game. That will be the hardest part.”
The tension will ratchet higher with each passing day all the way to kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 5, which is shortly before we move our clocks back. Congress, in its infinite wisdom, made the longest night of the fall available for the best regular-season game in the last five years.
At least, that’s how I’m sure some member from Louisiana or Alabama will explain it.
The Southeastern Conference, which creates the schedule for its members, takes no credit for nice foresight. The game, senior associate commissioner Mark Womack said, is pretty much a result of dumb luck.
re trying to give guys an open date,” Womack said. “It wasn’t like we said, ‘LSU and Alabama will both be fantastic.’”
Womack added how the league tries not to give any team more than five consecutive conference games without a break. Alabama hit that threshold Saturday when it defeated Tennessee, 36-7. By happenstance, the off week coincides with fall break on the Tuscaloosa campus. There are no classes Thursday and Friday, which increases the feeling of a season intermission.
Saban is a believer that you can never be overprepared. But that does not mean that a couple weeks of practice devoted to LSU is better than one. Most of the time in the three practices this week, Saban said in a phone interview Monday night, will be turned inward.
“Obviously, there are going to be a lot of good players in this game,” Saban said, “and I think a premium suddenly becomes doing things correctly. You will get away with doing them [incorrectly] against somebody who’s not challenging you. Nevertheless they [the Tigers] certainly have enough good athletes to challenge you when it comes to every factor of the game.”
Good players? In the 76 seasons from the AP poll, the top-ranked teams have met only 22 times within the regular season. The LSU-Alabama game will be the first since No. 1 Ohio State edged No. 2 Michigan, 42-39, in 2006. That’s a long time between sequels.
But here’s the cherry on top of this ice cream Saturdae. Of those 22 games, only three have matched teams that both had an off week to prepare.
In 1944, No. 1 Army beat No. 2 Navy, 23-7, in Baltimore, where the game was moved from Annapolis only a couple weeks before kickoff. The academies moved the game to Memorial Stadium to foment the sale of war bonds and raised nearly $59 million.
However, the two weeks to prepare allowed the Annapolis brass, combined with the city fathers of Municipal Stadium, to attempt to resod the field in the interim in a naked ploy to slow down the fleet Cadets. Army coach Red Blaik got wind of the plan and sent an assistant coach to Baltimore to intervene, to no avail.
The plan worked too well. The week with the game, torrential rains turned the virgin turf into a rice paddy. “[I]n the finish the category of the Army team enabled it to rise above the unnecessarily poor conditions,” Stanley Woodward wrote within the New York Herald Tribune.
In other words, you can get too cute when you have an extra week to prepare. Saban said Monday night he developed his philosophy about what to do during an off week while an assistant coach in the NFL, which wove bye weeks into the schedule years back.
“I think the goal is always to try to give your team some kind of psychological reprieve, some kind of physical reprieve to kind of get healthy and get more healthy for the stretch,” Saban said.
That thinking did not originate with Saban’s former boss in the NFL, Patriots coach Bill Belichick. It dates at least to 1926, when first-year Tennessee coach Robert Neyland had an extra week for the season-ending game against Kentucky. In the notebook, Neyland wrote, “Coast to Ky game.”
The late Tennessee professor Andy Kozar, who played for Neyland at Tennessee, published in 2002, “Football as a War Game: The Annotated Journals of General R. R. Neyland.” “The unorthodox preparation for the 1926 Kentucky game was a practice Neyland would follow for years to come,” Kozar wrote. “I remember the 1950-52 season[s] if the practice week plan needed plenty of rest, elementary school chasing games, and relays.”
No. 1 Army and No. 2 Navy had two weeks to prepare for each other again in 1945, a game that the Cadets won handily, 32-13. Blaik’s team didn’t lose until 1947, the season after the graduation of his Heisman Trophy tandem of backs, Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis.
It’s been 40 years since the last matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2 with an off week for both. No. 1 Nebraska won at Oklahoma, 35-31 on Thanksgiving Day 1971. Involving the buildup, the crowd swelled through the national holiday and the seesaw nature of the game itself, the game is the showpiece game of an era, as well as a great rivalry killed by realignment.
The Huskers’ Johnny Rodgers put a claim on the 1972 Heisman Trophy using a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown. Sooners fans of your certain age dispute if the Huskers committed one or three illegal blocks about the return.
Which is the great advantage of a game like LSU-Alabama. Two weeks of buildup can result in 40 years of memories — and counting.
Joe Paw Becomes the Winningest Coach Of All Times
State College, Pennsylvania. In vibrant white letters against a blue background, the electronic sign boards around Beaver Stadium took note of another milestone for Joe Paterno long after the stands had cleared.
“Congratulations Coach Paterno,” the signs read. “Winningest Coach In Division I College Football.”
It took all 60 minutes on a snowy, sloppy Saturday in Happy Valley, but JoePa broke Eddie Robinson’s record with victory No. 409 as No. 21 Penn State defeated Illinois 10-7.
The Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-0 Big Ten) overcame six fumbles-losing two- with Silas Redd’s 3-yard touchdown run along with one:08 to go. Penn State’s only touchdown came after Illinois corner Justin Green was whistled for pass interference while breaking up a fourth-down pass for Derek Moye in the end zone.
Illinois (6-3, 2-3) drove from the 17 to the Penn State 25 on the next drive, but Derek Dimke’s 42-yard field goal attempt bounced off the right upright as time expired.
Even JoePa was nervous from the press box before Penn State’s last drive. Paterno coached upstairs since he’s still got a sore right leg, shoulder and pelvis following an accidental preseason hit.
“Did I have any doubts,” he asked rhetorically with a chuckle. “Sure I had doubts … nonetheless it worked out anyway.”
In a common occurrence over his remarkable 46-year career, Paterno was feted again with a postgame ceremony. School president Graham Spanier and athletic director Tim Curley presented JoePa with a plaque that read, “Joe Paterno. Educator of Men. Winningest Coaach. Division One Football.”
Among all coaches, Paterno now only trails John Gagliardi, still active at Division III St. John’s, Minn., with 481 victories.
“It really is something I’ve very proud of, to be associated with Eddie Robinson,” Paterno said in a brief postgame ceremony in the media room broadcast to fans still waiting in the stands 10 minutes later. “Something like this means a lot to me, an awful lot. But there’s a lot of other people I’ve got to thank.”
Start with Redd, the budding star who had a career-high 30 carries for 137 yards for Penn State, none bigger his late TD run.
An early-season snowstorm had fans bundled up in winter parkas and hoodies. The offenses seemed to be frozen stiff.
After struggling most of the afternoon, quarterback Matt McGloin drove Penn State from their own 20 to the Illini 32 on three long completions before the pass interference call gave the Nittany Lions a second chance.
“I thought it was a good play myself,” frustrated Illini coach Ron Zook said. “But obviously (the referee) thought … I don’t know, I didn’t ask him.”
Redd capitalized four plays later by barreling into the end zone, the crowd erupting in delight.
Jason Ford rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries but Illinois couldn’t exploit a slew of Penn State mistakes in a defensive slugfest.
Illlinois outgained Penn State 286-209. After a quiet start, Illinois’ pass rush turned up the heat in the second half, getting 2.5 sacks combined from standout ends Michael Buchanan and Whitney Mercilus.
Still, the Illini’s offense wasn’t a lot better than Penn State, but they got just received enough inside the third quarter from scrambling quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase to scratch out a 10-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Harris for a 7-0 lead.
Illinois’ defense held firm from there until Penn State’s late TD drive.
Moye, back after missing two games because of a left foot injury, dropped a third-down pass to groans from the crowd on the winning drive. McGloin went for Moye on fourth down with 1:31 left, and the ball bounced off the receiver’s hands in the end zone-but there was contact and the interference penalty gave Penn State another chance.
Zook could only wince on the sideline as a once-quiet Penn State crowd burst back to life.
“They were just able to find their receivers. They weren’t able to do that all game, we pretty much got them all game,” Buchanan said. “As a D-line, we weren’t able to get pressure on the quarterback that we wanted to. So it was pretty much on us.”
Illinois’ struggling offense couldn’t get untracked again early, going scoreless in the first half for a third straight game. They wasted opportunities deep in Penn State territory following fumbles by Redd at his own 37 in the first half, and quarterback Rob Bolden at the 29 late in the second half.
On that drive, Illinois receiver Ryan Lankford made a pretty tiptoe catch along the sideline from backup quarterback Riley O’Toole for a 12-yard gain towards the 12. The play was upheld by replay-and fans in the student section showed their displeasure by tossing snowballs on the field.
The snowballs missed the players-much like most of the passes Saturday. McGloin was 9 of 24 for 98 yards, while Bolden missed all four of his pass attempts, all in the second quarter.
Scheelhaase finished 9 of 16 for 63 yards, and ran 14 times for 89 yards.
After the game, Paterno had one further message to the frigid fans outside before they headed on the exits in relief.
“For all the fans out there, thanks for sitting through that today,” Paterno said half-jokingly, “You’ve got to be nuts!”
Tailgating In Gainesville, Florida
Tailgating is a traditional part of attending college and professional sporting events and having a great time partying with family and friends under a Florida Gators tent can make time spent much better. It just makes no sense that you would travel all the way to Gainesville and only spend your time watching the players chase the ball around, when you can be having your own kind of fun, not only before the game, but during and after it as well.
With a good looking Florida Gators tent and your UF Gators tailgate chairs you will be all set to have an incredibly good time at the game. Since no one can guarantee that you will have fair weather while you are enjoying the time you spend waiting for the game to begin, having the right equipment can make all the difference between having a good time and wishing you had just stayed home.
With your Florida Gators tent you are going to be protected from the elements while you are grilling up some great burgers or maybe even your award winning steaks. Just be careful to maintain your position in those UF Gators tailgate chairs or someone may just take in the aroma and come by for a visit.
While there is no doubt that there are many diehard tailgating fans who would just as soon stand out in the rain or the extreme heat just so they can continue to rule as the finest tailgater on the planet, but why should you have to do that when you can be comfortable under your Florida Gators tent and seated in your UF Gators tailgate chairs.
A Florida Gators tent can be found at a reasonable price, and that makes securing one of your own much more attractive. It is not hard to put one up or take it down, and it is generally simple enough that one or two people at the most can set one up and have it ready to go in just minutes. Storing them at home in the garage or basement takes up little space so you won’t have to worry about where you are going to keep them.
So, the next time you are planning your next get away to a Florida Gators game be sure to take along your Florida Gators tent and those special UF Gators tailgate chairs so that you can spend as much time as you like enjoying the festivities. Don’t forget to keep some of those steaks handy so that you can continue your tailgating party after the game. How else do you expect to get through all those long lines of traffic as they escape from the confines of the parking lot if not by waiting around until the rest are all gone having fun discussing how you would have made a better play.
You are sure to be the hit of any tailgating party when you have a great looking Florida Gators tent and your own set of UF Gators tailgate chairs. Just be forewarned that you will be inviting guests over when you set all your equipment up so be sure to stock up on all the ingredients that make tailgating a blast.
USC Post 2009
When you’re used to going to BCS bowls and being in the national title contention, a 9-4 season can come off as a disappointment. That disappointment can be compounded when a team loses its head coach to the NFL and when NCAA sanctions can be forthcoming. USC did not win at least a share of the Pac-10 championship for the first time since 2001 this year. Their streak of seven straight conference titles was one of the most impressive feats in college football history. Ultimately, they could not overcome the fact they were replacing a long-time starting quarterback with a freshman. It also hurt that the rest of the Pac-10 conference got better.
The overall statistics were still quite good, however, Quarterback Matt Barkley threw for 2,735 yards as a freshman and added 15 touchdowns. Running back Joe McKnight, who has already declared for the NFL draft, ran for 1,014 yards and eight touchdowns before sitting out the bowl game because of a potential NCAA violation. Senior receiver Damian Williams also had a stellar season, nabbing 70 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns. Williams is also headed to the draft, meaning that there could be even more problems in USC’s future.
The season did start out with the usual promise as Southern Cal cruised in its opener ovr San JoseState 56-3. Next up was a big road trip to eventual Big Ten champion OhioState. Many people thought this game would be a Rose Bowl preview. While it wasn’t the blowout that USC had over the Buckeyes a year earlier, The Trojans came away with a solid 18-15 win on a late Stafon Johnson touchdown. Barkley turned many heads by directing the 14 play, 86 yard game winning drive. Unfortunately, that would be the high point of USC’s season.
The downfall began the following week at Washington when the Huskies, who were 0-12 just a season before, shocked the college football world with a 16-13 victory over the third ranked Trojans. It appeared to be the typical mid-season gaffe that had defined the last few seasons of USC football. The Trojans followed that loss up with convincing wins over WashingtonState (27-6), California (30-3), Notre Dame (34-27), and Oregon State (42-36). That set up the biggest Pac-10 game of the season when USC traveled to Autzen Stadium to face Oregon.
In that game, Oregon announced that USC’s dominance had ended. The Ducks pounded the Trojans 47-20. USC was never the same after that. They beat ArizonaState in a lackluster 14-9 contest before losing 55-21 at home to Stanford. A 28-7 rivalry win over UCLA followed, but the Trojans suffered a fourth Pac-10 loss to Arizona 21-17. The four losses in conference play were more than USC had suffered in the previous three seasons combined. Southern Cal managed to save a little face by beating Boston College 24-13 in the Emerald Bowl, but that victory did very little to salve their ego. Since Pete Carroll left the team shortly thereafter this team’s future is very much up in the air.
