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DISC saves Miami spring finale

4/25/2015

Despite inclement weather, Miami was able to finish spring practice with drills and competition in front of an enthusiastic crowd. (Mike Smith photo)

OXFORD, Ohio The school president, athletic director, lead donor, current athletes, and a pair of celebrated athlete alums were among those singing the praises of Miami’s new Dauch Indoor Sports Center (DISC) before ribbon cutting ceremonies Saturday. Ultimately, however, Mother Nature said it best.

Rain – lots of it – poured on Oxford Saturday. "They all would have went home if we were outside."Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. With the new facility in place and a few tweaks, however, the RedHawks managed to wind up their 2015 spring schedule with a combination of drills and competition.

Despite somewhat lengthy ceremonies, a relatively large crowd stuck around - many of them standing along the sidelines – to watch the RedHawks go through their paces on (Ben) Roethlisberger Field. They were excited. … Once we got going, pads were cracking," Martin said.

The 14-period scrimmage included several 11-on-11 sessions.

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Miami's Albright among those anxious to shine

4/24/2015

Bryson Albright was Miami's Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2014. (Photo - Mike Smith)

By MIKE SMITH
According to one website, the average college football Division I defensive end is approximately 6-3, 253 pounds. That would put Miami’s Bryson Albright (6-5, 243) somewhat taller and slightly thinner than average for the position. Whatever the measurements, however, Albright is a great fit along what figures to be an experienced Miami front line in 2015.

Albright is a playmaker – something that runs in the family. His brother Alex also starred as a defensive end at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati before going on to Boston College. He later played a couple years for the Dallas Cowboys before an injury ended his pro career.

Bryson, meanwhile, has managed to stay relatively healthy – and productive.

After appearing in every game for Miami during his 2012 true freshman campaign, Albright has started every game for two years. He totaled 55 tackles in each of the last two seasons, with 8.0 tackles for loss and six sacks last year when he earned Miami Defensive Lineman of the Year honors.

There have some tumultuous times for Miami football during Albright’s time in Oxford, but he’s stayed in focus and found a way to thrive.
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Bulls land power forward

4/21/2015

BUFFALO, NY – The first NLI commit of the Nate Oats era is in, and it belongs to 6'8" power forward David Kadiri, who comes to the Bulls after playing last season at South Plains College.

Kadiri played his freshman year at UMBC before moving to South Plains College last year. He helped the Texans to a 29-7 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Championship Game, where he finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots.

"David is a high-energy, high-character forward with a non-stop motor that fits our style perfectly. With two of the best point guards in our league in Lamonte and Jarryn, we needed to get an athletic big that can run in transition, and that is exactly what we have in David," said Oats. "He is super athletic and fans will be excited to watch the way he can finish above the rim."

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Evans cleared to depart UB program

4/21/2015

Buffalo sophomore guard Shannon Evans, who recently decided upon seeking a transfer from the Bulls basketball program, apparently is being cleared for such a move. UB athletic director Danny White released the following statement today:

“The first core value of UB Athletics is our student-athlete experience. To that end, we will always operate and make decisions with the best interest of the young men and women who don the blue and white to represent this wonderful institution on a national stage.

“After learning about the request for a release yesterday, and meeting with the student-athlete, I have decided that granting Shannon Evans a full release to transfer to any school in the country is in his best interest. We wish Shannon nothing but the best in his future academic and athletic pursuits.”

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Rockets add Rogers to hoops squad

4/20/2015

TOLEDO, OH — Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk has announced the signing of 6-1, 170-pound guard Nick Rogers (Indianapolis, IN) to a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Toledo beginning in the 2015-16 academic year.

“Nick is a very talented guard who is extremely quick and can generate offense a number of ways,” said Kowalczyk, who has guided the Rockets to a Mid-American Conference-best 47-20 (.701) win-loss mark over the last two seasons. “Nick is also a good on-ball defender, and we’re very excited that’s he decided to become a Rocket.”

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Zips land another Houston hoopster

4/20/2015

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron men's basketball head coach Keith Dambrot HAS announced on Thursday that Daniel Utomi has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Zips in the 2015-16 season.

Utomi joins Peter Agba Emmanuel Olojakpoke and Josh Williams, who signed NLI's in November.

"I view Daniel as a Brett McKnight-type of player," Dambrot said. "He is big, strong and can score from anywhere on the floor. You don't average 27 points per game in Houston if you are an average player."

Bowden declares Akron run game ‘much better’

4/19/2015

AKRON, Ohio – Akron football's Blue squad shut out its White counterpart, 10-0, in the Zips' annual Spring Game on Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.

The Blue squad, coached by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee and the offensive staff, jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter as senior QB Kyle Pohl connected with senior WR Imani Davis on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Senior PK Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) tacked on the extra point in the 14-play, 75- yard drive that took 8:09.

On the next drive, the White team utilized sophomore PK Tom O'Leary on a 28-yard field goal attempt that was blocked.

In the second quarter, sophomore S Zach Guiser intercepted a pass for the White squad, coached by associate head coach and defensive coordinator Chuck Amato and his defensive staff.

With 2:02 to go in the half, Stein converted a 38-year field goal to give Blue a 10-0 halftime edge.

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Milas, Mann battle in Cardinals spring scrimmage

4/19/2015

Ball State’s football team wrapped up its spring practice Saturday with the annual scrimmage at Scheumann Stadium. The offense won by a 56-37 margin, and Ball State football alumni Tom Broderick and Kurt Humes served as honorary coaches for Cardinals’ head coach Pete Lembo.

The format was an offense vs. defense scrimmage, with special teams drills in between quarters. By rule, the offense either punted or kicked a field goal on all fourth downs.

There were four series per quarter and the scoring system was as follows:

DEFENSE: Drive Stop = 1 point

Three and Out = 3 points

                              Takeaway = 5 points

                              Touchdown = 6 points

                              PAT = 1 point

                              Safety = 2 points

OFFENSE:           First Down = 1 point

                              Field Goal = 3 points

                              Touchdown = 6 points

                              PAT = 1 point

                              2-point Conversion = 2 points

Jack Milas, who started six games at quarterback for the Cardinals last season, completed 21-of-26 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Ozzie Mann, who also started six games at QB in 2014, completed 13-of-17 passes for 169 yards and one score. David Morrison, a redshirt freshman, completed 1-of-4 passes for three yards.

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‘Good production’ in ‘vanilla’ Bull scrimmage

4/19/2015

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Bulls closed out spring practice with the annual Blue and White Scrimmage under sun-drenched skies at UB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. No score was kept in a game that featured the offense going up against the defense.

Tony Daniel was the first quarterback to see action and went 8-for-14 for 76 yards and two touchdowns. He threw 14-yard touchdowns passes to both Mason Schreck and Marcus McGill. Chris Merchant was the next quarterback to get in the game and finished 2-for-5 for 20 yards. Collin Michael threw for the most yards, as he went 5-for-8 for 115 yards and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Mikel DeMonte. Craig Slowik went 2-for-3 for nine yards.

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Falcon roots go deep with new BG coach

4/16/2015

Michael Huger working as a Miami Hurricanes assistant.

Bowling Green, Ohio – Bowling Green State University has tabbed one of its own to take over the reins of the men's basketball program as 1994 BGSU graduate Michael Huger has been named the 17th head men's basketball coach, it was announced today by BGSU Director of Athletics D. Christopher Kingston. Huger will be introduced at a Friday press conference at 12 p.m. (noon) inside the Stroh Center on the campus of Bowling Green State University.

"I couldn't be more excited about bringing Michael and Tonya back to Bowling Green," Kingston said. "Michael led this program as a player and team captain, and is the best prepared coach to lead this program to new heights. This team, this university and this community just got better."

Huger, who returns to his alma mater where he was a standout player for the Falcons from 1989-93, most recently wrapped up his fourth season at the University of Miami and his eighth season as an assistant coach for head coach Jim Larranaga, whom he played for at BGSU.

Overall, Huger brings 10 seasons of collegiate coaching experience and nearly a dozen years of professional basketball experience with him back to Bowling Green.

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Offense thrives in Falcons scrimmage

4/11/2015

Quarterback Matt Johnson scored on a one-yard keeper on the final play as the first team offense earned a 36-34 victory over the second team offense Saturday in Bowling Green’s spring football game in Doyt L. Perry Stadium. The game marked the end of BGSU’s spring football practices.

The Falcon defense held the offenses in check throughout much of the first quarter. Malik Brown recorded both of his sacks during the opening period and ultimately produced five tackles during the game.

The first-team offense finally broke through late in the first quarter, when Johnson threw a short pass to Ronnie Moore, who cut up the right sideline and ran for a 40-yard touchdown.

Tyler Tate drilled a 50-yard field goal during the final minute of the first frame to give the first-team offense a 9-0 lead.

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Defense dominates depleted offenses in UT game

4/11/2015

TOLEDO, OH – With numerous key offensive players sitting on the sidelines, defenses dominated the Toledo Rockets’ spring football game on Saturday, with the Blue Team defeating the Gold Team, 6-5.

On a beautiful, sun-splashed afternoon, the Rockets played their annual scrimmage without their top two quarterbacks and top three running backs, all of whom were nursing injuries or recovering from off-season surgeries. Senior quarterback Phillip Ely, junior QB Logan Woodside, junior running backs Kareem Hunt and Damion Jones-Moore, along with sophomore running back Terry Swanson, all cheered on their teammates from the sidelines.

The Blues trailed, 5-0, until sophomore quarterback Michael Julian hit sophomore Cody Thompson for a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The Gold Team’s final drive made it to the Gold 40-yard line before time ran out.

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Buffalo elevates Oats to head coach

4/11/2015

BUFFALO, NY – Nate Oats, the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for the last two seasons, has been named the 13th head men's basketball coach at the University at Buffalo, Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Saturday.

In his two seasons as an assistant coach under Bobby Hurley, who was named head coach at Arizona State on Thursday, Oats helped lead the Bulls to a 42-20 record, back-to-back MAC East Titles, a MAC regular season title, a MAC Tournament title and UB's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. Oats was also responsible for recruiting Justin Moss, the 2014-15 MAC Player of the Year.

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Hurley leaving Buffalo for ASU

4/9/2015

Bobby Hurley is headed to Arizona State. (Mike Smith photo)

BUFFALO, NY – On Thursday evening Bobby Hurley accepted the head men's basketball coaching position at Arizona State.

"We would like to thank Bobby for his contributions growing our men's basketball program," said Athletic Director Danny White. "It is important for us to continue to build on the success with a new leader and I am extremely confident that we will find a leader who can take our program to even greater heights."

Buffalo has begun the evaluation process and a search for a new head coach of the men's basketball program is underway, according to White.

FIRST HEAD COACHING GIG
Buffalo was Hurley’s first collegiate head coaching position, and he took over the Bulls March 26, 2013. He replaced Reggie Witherspoon, who compiled a 96-142 record in 14 seasons at the UB helm. The Bulls went 20-13 and 19-9 overall before dipping to 14-20 in Witherspoon’s final year (2012-13).

Hurley led Buffalo to a 19-10 overall record in his first season. The 13-5 Mid-American Conference record was good for first in the MAC East. However, the Bulls were knocked out in quarterfinal action of the MAC tournament and did not make it to further tournament action.

Despite the loss of conference MVP Javon McCrea, the Bulls put together an even better season in 2014-15. Justin Moss moved into McCrea’s role and won MVP honors. UB again won the East and this time also won the MAC tournament, as well. That put the Bulls in the NCAA tourney, where they fell to West Virginia, 68-62 in round of 64 play. That left Buffalo with a 23-10 overall record (12-6 MAC).

HURLEY REPLACES HERB SENDEK

After weeks of speculation concerning a potential move by Hurley, he accepted the Arizona State job. He replaces Herb Sendek, who was fired after nine seasons as the Sun Devils head coach.

Ironically, Sendek also started his head coaching career in the MAC. He was head coach at Miami University from 1994-1996. His Miami teams compiled a record of 63 wins and 26 losses, while going 5-14 in the conference. All three squads reached post season play – two NIT appearances and one NCAA second round appearance. Sendek then spent 10 seasons at North Carolina State before taking over the Arizona State job.

AROUND THE MAC: EMU SPRING SCRIMMAGE

4/9/2015

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com/MRO Edit) — The Eastern Michigan White team defeated the Green team, 42-27, in a recent scrimmage at Rynearson Stadium.

The 60-play scrimmage pitted the defense (White team) against the offense (Green team) on the scoreboard as well as the field. A special scoring system was put in place for both squads to earn points.

The offense clinched one point for every first down and every extra point, while receiving the typical three points for a field goal and six points for a touchdown. The defense secured one point for a PAT and two points for a three-and-out, while also adding five points for a turnover and 11 points for a touchdown.
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<<Previous

DISC saves Miami spring finale

Miami's Albright among those anxious to shine

Bulls land power forward

Evans cleared to depart UB program

Rockets add Rogers to hoops squad

Zips land another Houston hoopster

Bowden declares Akron run game ‘much better’

Milas, Mann battle in Cardinals spring scrimmage

‘Good production’ in ‘vanilla’ Bull scrimmage

Falcon roots go deep with new BG coach

Offense thrives in Falcons scrimmage

Defense dominates depleted offenses in UT game

Buffalo elevates Oats to head coach

Hurley leaving Buffalo for ASU

AROUND THE MAC: EMU SPRING SCRIMMAGE

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