Kyler Murray of the University of Oklahoma was selected on Saturday (Dec. 8) as the 84th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, an award presented annually by the Heisman Trophy Trust to the most outstanding player in college football.
The junior quarterback was announced as the 2018 winner of the prestigious honor at the end of ESPN’s live broadcast of the Heisman ceremony from Manhattan’s PlayStation Theater.
“This is crazy. This is an honor,” said Murray from the podium after being announced as the winner. “It’s something I’ll never forget. Something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
Murray, who followed Baker Mayfield as quarterback at Oklahoma, is the first player to win the Heisman the year after taking over for another Heisman winner. His victory also marks just the fourth time a school has won consecutive Heismans.
He’s the seventh Sooner to win the Heisman, joining Billy Vessels (’52), Steve Owens (’69), Billy Sims (’78), Jason White (’03), Sam Bradford (’08) and Mayfield (’17). That total ties Notre Dame and Ohio State for most Heisman wins.
The 5-10, 195-pounder from Allen, Texas, threw for 4,054 yards and 40 touchdowns, with another 892 yards and 11 scores on the ground while leading the Sooners to a 12-1 record, the Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. His passer rating of 205.72 is the best in Heisman history, eclipsing the mark of 203.76 set by Mayfield in 2017.
Ballots were emailed to 870 media personnel across the nation plus 58 Heisman winners and one fan ballot, for a total of 929 electors. The ballots were received and tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Murray polled 2,167 points to capture the award over Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama (1,871 points), and Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins (783 points). The point total is reached by a system of three points for a first place vote, two for a second and one for a third.
Murray will be officially inducted into the Heisman family at the 84th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner Gala on Sunday evening, December 9, 2017, at the Marriott Marquis in New York.
ATLANTA – The Southern takeover of MLS is complete.
Atlanta United capped their astonishing first two years of existence with a confident 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the 2018 MLS Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night, delighting the biggest crowd in league history with a vintage performance spearheaded by a goal and assist from star striker Josef Martinez.
As some analysts had predicted, the two sides got off to a cagey start, Portland sitting deep and absorbing withering waves of pressure while Atlanta pressed tigerishly but failed to connect on the final pass. A duel between Martinez and Larrys Mabiala sent the Venezuelan tumbling in the Timbers penalty box, but referee Alan Kelly waved play on and a VAR check backed up his no-call.
Miguel Almiron finally created the first clear scoring chance of the game in the 29th minute, meeting a deep cross from Greg Garza with an acrobatic side volley, but Jeff Attinella dived to his right to parry the bouncing shot away from the net.
The affair blew open 10 minutes later as ATLUTD seized the lead by exploiting a moment of slackness by the Timbers in their own end.
The visitors clipped a half-clearance up to Jeremy Ebobisse, but the forward was dispossessed by a sliding Michael Parkhurst and Martinez beat Liam Ridgewell to the ball at the top of the penalty box, leaving the Venezuelan marksman with the relatively simple – for him – task of rounding Attinella and stroking his finish into an empty net.
Portland responded almost immediately. A few minutes later Ebobisse directed a header on target after good work down the right channel by Sebastian Blanco, only for Brad Guzan to make the save and send the fiery contest into halftime at 1-0.
The Timbers tried to mount a rally after the break, venturing forward to create danger in front of Guzan’s goal in the 52nd minute, but found themselves in a 2-0 hole mere moments later as the Five Stripes doubled their lead from a well-executed set piece.
Martinez was heavily involved, first winning a free kick along Atlanta’s left channel, then popping up at the near post to flick on Almiron’s driven service into the path of Franco Escobar at the back stick. The wide-open wingback made no mistake with a firm low strike into the bottom corner, sending the home fans into another bout of delirium.
The Timbers made three attacking-minded subs and pressed forward as they chased the game, but Guzan and his defense held firm and the Atlanta bench rushed the pitch at Kelly's final whistle to celebrate a memorable triumph.
Three Things
ATL TOO STRONG: The Timbers battled valiantly, but this was a definitive display of Tata Martino’s aggressive, attack-minded philosophy and it was hard to see the underdogs’ path to an upset. Setting the tone with their buzzing high press and snapping challenges, the Five Stripes ditched the risk-averse tactics used against the New York teams in their two previous playoff series and insisted the game be played on their terms, to good effect.
MIDNIGHT FOR CINDERELLA: The squad from the Rose City caught lightning in a bottle with their unexpected run through the Western Conference bracket and have much to cherish from the first season under Giovanni Savarese. Though their formula didn’t work against a suffocating ATLUTD side in the final, their hordes of traveling supporters added greatly to this occasion and the future looks bright.
JOSEF AND PARKY: Big players produce in big games, and the Five Stripes’ key cogs did exactly that on this occasion. Special props are due to match (and season!) MVP Martinez and captain Parkhurst, who made the play that led to the opening goal and was generally flawless in his defensive work. After so much heartbreak in his previous trips to the cup final with New England and Columbus, no one in black and red will cherish this win more than him.
ISML 2018: Diamond Match Day 2 Recap By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue December 7, 2018
Match Day 2 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Diamond Period is history. In the Female Division, Kamui Kanna defeated Kurisu Makise 16474-12574, Nagisa Furukawa eased past Ai Haibara 15060-13601, Shiro scored a 11687-10696 scalp of Chtholly Nota Seniorious, Rem routed Azusa Nakano 15264-7566, Rikka Takanashi rocked Tamako Kitashirakawa 14563-12108 and Sakura Kinomoto scored the Upset of the Round, a 14990-14410 barnburner over Mashiro Shiina.
Wrapping up Female Division action, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Sagiri Izumi 16120-11628, Tooru roared past Reina Kousaka 14401-12691, Saber won a 14036-13757 nailbiter over Kurumi Tokisaki, Yukino Yukinoshita defeated Emilia 17392-15526, Rin Tohsaka whipped past Yui Yuigahama 13927-11941 and Illyasviel von Einzbern throttled Shouko Nishimiya 16661-13101.
In the Male Division, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Shouya Ishida 16871-10189, Shirou Emiya defeated Astolgo 13118-11877, Archer dominated Kusuo Saiki 14340-11472, Shouto Todoroki won the closest race of the round, a 14150-13855 thriller over Levi, Yuuta Togashi defeated Eren Yeager 13855-12320 and Rintarou Okabe whipped past Tomoya Okazaki 14692-11486.
Wrapping up Male Division play, Willem Kmetsch impaled Gilgamesh 16212-12510, Touma Kamijou broke Kyon 13799-11140, Kiritsugu Emiya defeated Ainz Ooal Gown 13486-12942, Nagisa Shiota outwitted Karma Akabane 13523-11656, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji thumped Subaru Natsuki 14136-11628 and Riku Dola puncherd Saitama 13020-12156.
Match Day 3 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Diamond Period is scheduled for December 8, 2018. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2018: Diamonds In The Sky By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue December 4, 2018
Match Day 1 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Diamond Period has concluded in the final buildup to the postseason. In the Female Division, Kamui Kanna defeated Nagisa Furukawa 20222-9514, Chtholly Nota Seniorious prevailed over Ai Haibara 15612-14548, Kurisu Makise throttled Shiro 15818-12699, Tamaki KItashirakawa got routed by Rem 17608-11038, Mashiro Shiina eased past Rikka Takanashi 11529-10968 and Sakura Kinomoto romped past Azusa Nakano 16659-13182.
Wrapping up Female Division action, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Reina Kousaka 16738-10379, Tooru roared past Kurumi Tokisaki 15894-13050, Saber defeated Sagiri Izumi 15463-12629, Yukino Yukinoshita whipped past Yui Yuigahama 15580-11552, Rin Tohsaka hammered Shouko Nishimiya 17706-12513 and Emilia thumped Illyasviel von Einzbern 18331-14590.
In the Male Division, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Astolgo 16255-10098, Archer dominated Shirou Emiya 14071-11918, Kusuo Saiki defeated Shouya Ishida 14334-11349, Levi leveled Eren Yeager 15567-11185, Rintarou Okabe took down Yuuta Togashi 14857-12374 and Shouto Todoroki prevailed over Tomoya Okazaki 12526-11353.
Wrapping up Male Division play, Kyon defeated Gilgamesh 14338-12147, Ains Ooak Gown broke Touma Kamijou in the Upset of the round 13751-12650, Willem Kmetsch defeated Kiritsugu Emiya 14562-11161, Nagisa Shiota rolled past Subaru Natsuki 14924-12347, Riku Dola rocked Kiyotaka Ayanokouji 12658-12192 and in the closest race of the round, Saitama punched Karma Akabane 12439-12144.
Match Day 2 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Diamond Period is scheduled for December 5, 2018. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2018: Rin Tohsaka Wins Ruby Necklace Dark Horse Archer Completes Fate Sweep With Pendant Win
By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue November 28, 2018
Match Day 6 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby Period has completed, and despite surprisingly low turnouts for this one, as forecasted in the Ruby Necklace Odds, Rin Tohsaka won the Ruby Necklace with a 23557-20550 win over Emilia. Kurumi Tokisaki was third with 10585 votes. Rounding out the order were Yukino Yukinoshita (2246), Yui Yuigahama (2066), Illyasviel von Einzbern (2003), Rikka Takanashi (1143) and Kamui Kanna (851).
Archer was listed as a reliable second choice at 3-1 but coasted to a 19263-15052 win over favored Gilgamesh to win the Ruby Pendant. Willem Kmetsch, making his debut in the ISML Male Division, was third with 9306 votes. Rounding out the order were Kiritsugu Emiya (7568), Astolfo (5248), Subaru Natsuki (4351), Shouto Todoroki (3638) and Tomoya Okazaki (3089).
Advancing to the next phase in the Female Division via the wildcard are Shiro (7815.78), Kurisu Makise (8398), Tooru (8650) and Shouko Nishimiya (8083). Eliminated were Nao Tomori (2037), Schwi Dola (3655), Yuki Nagato (7549.35), Utaha Kasumigaoka (3125), Chiyo Sakura (2268), Megumin (2493), Taiga Aisaka (4201), Haruhi Suzumiya (4828) and Mirai Kuriyama (2724).
Advancing to the nect phase in the Male Division via the wildcard were Yuuta Togashi (8583), Kusuo Saiki (7412.78), Shouya Ishida (7821) and Touma Kamijou (7367.18). Eliminated were Ken Kaneki (4119), Ryuuji Takasu (2337), Yato, (3252), Li Syaoran (7198.3), Taki Tachibana (3684), Takashi Natsume (5626.11), Izuku Midoriya (2629), Kazuma Satou (2652) and Conan Edogawa (4751).
One of the biggest Upsets of the Round happened in the Summer Seasonal Tournament. Platelet and Erythrocyte are not expected to make much of an impact at next year's International Saimoe League despite being locks to make the main draw. However, Platelet may go down as one of the more underrated characters to stand and deliver, and deliver she did in a 17216-13856 scalp of Rinne Ohara to win the Summer Diadem. Eyrythocyte made it a sweep for the series of the season, Hataraku Saibou, in a 16722-12921 whipping of Mahiru Tsuyuzaki, for third place.
Some other action between eliminated ISML participants took place. Kaori Miyazono defeated Tohka Yatogami 14734-12446, Jibril flew past Nero Claudius 14226-13878, Mitsuha Miyamizu eased past Eriri Sawamura Spencer 14843-13354, Yuzuru Otonashi shot down Sorata Kanda 13550-12124, Lancer implace Saika Totsuka 13321-11513 and Souma Yukihira dominated Gintoki Sakata 13422-11438.
Wrapping up action, Moffie defeated Bonta-kun 13737-11895 in a battle of look-alikes, Rin prevailed over Meme 13643-12012, Azuki defeated Natsuki 13678-11959 and in a penguin showdown, King Dedede rolled past Pingu 13418-12025.
Keep it right here on The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier competition, the International Saimoe League, as the push towards the postseason goes full steam ahead. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
EDMONTON — It turns out the third time was the charm for the Calgary Stampeders.
After two consecutive years of Grey Cup heart break, the Stamps got it right on Sunday night in Edmonton, earning a wire-to-wire 27-16 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS to capture the 106th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.
Bo Levi Mitchell threw two first-half touchdown passes, winning Grey Cup Most Valuable Player, while Terry Williams scored on a Grey Cup record 97-yard punt return, as the Stamps erased their ghosts of November’s past in front of 55,819 fans at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.
Brampton, Ont. native Alessia Cara performed at halftime, but in the end it was Williams’ record-breaking romp with one second left in the first half that stole the show, giving Calgary a 21-11 lead that would not be relinquished.
Don Jackson and Lemar Durant also scored for Calgary, while Julian Feoli-Gudino struck for the REDBLACKS. Rene Paredes and Lewis Ward each booted a pair of field goals. Durant was named the game’s Most Valuable Canadian after hauling in four catches for 30 yards and adding a 22-yard run.
Mitchell finished with 253 yards on 24-of-36 passing but also threw two interceptions. REDBLACKS starter Trevor Harris countered with 288 yards and a touchdown, but also threw three picks on 20-of-38 passing.
Stamps receiver Eric Rogers had a team-high 64 yards on six catches, including three on second down. RJ Harris had a game-high 66 yards on four catches to lead the REDBLACKS.
The Stamps threatened to score on their opening possession of the game, but a promising drive ended abruptly when Mitchell’s pass intended for Bakari Grant was underthrown and intercepted by Jonathan Rose. The turnover marked Mitchell’s sixth interception in four Grey Cup starts.
Mitchell would get a chance for atonement soon after. With the REDBLACKS hemmed up in their own end, Harris’ pass over the middle was intercepted by defensive back Ciante Evans. Juwan Brescacin‘s third catch of the opening quarter then set up the perfect screen pass, with Mitchell dumping it off to Jackson for an easy 23-yard touchdown, putting Calgary up 7-0 with just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
The REDBLACKS moved the ball on their ensuing possession but Ward, nearly perfect throughout the regular season, missed his third field goal of the post-season on a try from 48 yards out.
As the first quarter came to an end, the Stamps’ seven-point lead had much to do with the field position battle, with Calgary’s average starting position starting at the 48-yard-line compared to the REDBLACKS starting at their own 24.
Lewis would redeem himself on his second attempt early in the second frame, hitting from 30 yards out to get Ottawa on the board.
Ahead 7-3, though, the Stampeders responded in orderly fashion. On second-and 10, Rogers fought off tight coverage from Kyries Hebert to make a highlight-reel 20-yard grab. Mitchell struck again on second down, finding a wide open Canadian Julan Lynch for 26 yards down to the Ottawa 34.
After another second-down conversion by Rogers, Mitchell made one of his best plays of the game when he bought time with his legs, escaping pressure to his left before throwing across his body to Durant for a 17-yard touchdown.
Mitchell’s work on second down made the drive possible, as he completed all three second-down passing attempts for 57 yards. The eight-play, 80-yard scoring chewed 4:22 off the clock and put Calgary ahead 14-3.
Just when they needed it most, lightning struck for the REDBLACKS. Harris found an open Feoli-Gudino, who broke a tackle on his way to a 55-yard touchdown. J.C. Beaulieu caught the two-point convert from Harris, cutting the deficit to 14-11 for Ottawa.
It looked like that would make it a one-possession game at the half, but one speedy returner did just what he was brought in to do. Williams caught Richie Leone‘s punt at his own 13, weaved through a crowd of defenders and then sprinted past the kicker, scoring a Grey Cup record 97-yard punt return touchdown.
The score left just one second on the clock, putting Calgary up 21-11 after the game-altering play. Calgary had led after halftime in seven Grey Cups going into the game, going 5-2 over that span with the losses coming in 1968 and last year, 2017, vs. Toronto.
The REDBLACKS chipped away at the deficit early in the third, as RJ Harris‘ grab down the sideline set up a 41-yard field goal by Ward, his second of the night.
Calgary replied quickly though with Rene Paredes‘ first of the night, a 34-yarder that would restore the Stampeders’ lead to 10. Paredes’ field goal put him in the lead for Grey Cup field goal percentage with a 10-for-10 mark, passing former Argos kicker Mike Vanderjagt (9-for-9) based off attempts.
Down two scores and in need of a spark, things turned worse for the REDBLACKS early in the fourth quarter when Diontae Spencer fumbled on a punt return. It was recovered by Stamps special teams ace Wynton McManis, giving Calgary the ball back in optimal field position with 13:33 left.
The REDBLACKS’ defence would hold as Matthews couldn’t catch up to Mitchell’s second down pass in the corner of the end zone. However, Paredes’ second field goal of the game extended Calgary’s lead to 27-14.
The REDBLACKS appeared to cut the deficit to a single score when Harris’ toss to the end zone was apparently caught by a sprawling Greg Ellingson. However, upon further review, the ball was trapped, forcing the Ottawa offence back on the field for a second-and-10. After a pickup of nine by Brad Sinopoli, Harris went back to Sinopoli on third-and-one, only for Jamar Wall to knock the ball loose, forcing a turnover on downs.
With the three-minute warning already passed and the urgency level high, Harris took a deep heave into double coverage looking for RJ Harris, only for Wall to come up with the interception, all but sealing the REDBLACKS’ comeback hopes.
Junior Turner closed the game out with the Stampeders’ only sack of the night. Still, it was a big night for the Stamps’ defence, including three interceptions off Harris by Wall, Evans and rookie Tre Roberson. Alex Singleton had eight tackles, tying a game-high with Ottawa linebacker Kyries Hebert.
JR Tavai had six tackles and a sack to lead the REDBLACKS, who finished with more net yards than Calgary with a 379 to 339 edge, but also turned the ball over six times compared to the Stampeders’ two.
Mitchell won the game’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career after first winning it in 2014. He’s the seventh player in CFL history to win multiple Grey Cup MVPs.
The Stamps won despite throwing two interceptions, becoming the first team to win when throwing multiple picks since 1994 when Danny McManus and Kent Austin played quarterback for the BC Lions.
The Hawaii Rainbow Warrior football team represents not only represents the University of Hawaii at Manoa, but the entire University of Hawaii system, the city and county of Honolulu, and the State of Hawaii and the island kingdom it succeeded. The Rainbow Warriors have had a rich tradition of participating in the postseason. Being in a bowl game is a source of pride from a school's perspective and civic perspective. There is a sense of community and bonding and shared memories from seeing your favorite college team make a bowl game and, if they are good enough, win it.
In the state of Hawaii, there is a bowl game called the Hawaii Bowl. Formally sponsored by ConAgra Foods and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, the bowl game was the product of the 2001 Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Football season, where the team had a 9-3 record but was not invited to a bowl game despite having the caliber and quality to be in one and win it. There have been 12 different winners of the Hawaii Bowl. The most high-profile winner? Notre Dame, who beat Hawaii in 2008. That team is now in the College Football Playoff for this year.
To ensure the viability of the bowl game and to incentivize fans from across O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands to converge on Hawaii's de facto national stadium, the Aloha Stadium, and partake in the gridiron festivities, the organizers of the Hawaii Bowl inserted a clause in which the Rainbow Warriors are guaranteed entry to the contest given that they reach the prerequisite amount of wins. In Hawaii's case, that would be seven.
This year, in 2018, they reached eight, but they were very close to being left out of the postseason due to a four-game losing streak that was snapped on Senior Night against UNLV which was followed by an overtime thriller over San Diego State. A number of other victories were also won the hard way, including a road overtime arm-wrestle against San Jose State and a grinder at home to Wyoming, a team that, despite being 6-6, could be without an invitation due to a surplus of bowl-eligible teams and a number of metrics (i.e. conference head-to-head) working against Craig Bohl's Cowboys.
Nonetheless, this is Hawaii's eighth appearance in the show, and they run this game the same way USC runs the Rose Bowl. Ironically, USC finished this season 5-7 and are not going to a bowl game, a truly regressive year. There have been four times Hawaii have been named champions of the Hawaii Bowl. Only one other team has had multiple Hawaii Bowl wins, and that team is SMU, who also finished with a 5-7 season and is bowl-ineligible.
Hawaii's first appearance in the Hawaii Bowl was in the inaugural edition, a game in which the Warriors lost to Tulane 36-28. To date, that is the last-ever bowl win for the Green Wave, despite a 2013 appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. Like Wyoming, Tulane are in an unenviable position of being a team without an invitation. They finished the regular season 6-6 and with a share of the American West Division title but lose on head-to-head and are at the mercy of UCF winning the conference championship to allow the Green Wave to have a case. The Knights are favored against Memphis but with upsets being a commonality, Tulane stand to be on the outside looking in.
Hawaii's first Hawaii Bowl win came the season after, and in typical Warrior fashion, it was a shootout against the mainland UH, the Houston Cougars. Hawaii won 54-48 in a match that went three overtimes, a game that saw Timmy Chang win game MVP. It was June Jones's second-ever bowl game win as Hawaii head coach. Jones would go on to be the winningest head coach in modern Hawaii football history and one of the players he coached, Nick Rolovich, is now coaching at the school with the same offensive system Jones ran, the run-and-shoot, especially after realizing that running the spread is in violation the identity of success at the program. Interesting to note, the head coach of Houston at the time was Art Briles, and this was before a move to Baylor, one that would see the downfall of his legacy coaching the game, a downfall that has been well-publicized (and consequentially, celebrated) by local and national media.
Hawaii's next bowl victory came in 2004, when Hawaii faced the UAB Blazers and their now star receiver in the pros, Roddy White. Watson Brown was the coach back then for UAB, who lost, 59-40 in an offensive shootout. UAB would fold its program several years later but it would only be temporary as pressure was brought on to bring college football back to Birmingham.
The Blazers' return to the big time was celebrated with a Bahamas Bowl appearance, one they would go on to lose. UAB, this season, have won the Conference USA East Division title and stand to be placed in a far better bowl, although taking care of some unfinished business wouldn't be so bad. Chad Owens was the MVP for the Bows, and Owens went on to a successful CFL career to go with at least one Grey Cup. It should be noted that a young Rob Stone was a sideline reporter for ESPN's broadcast. He is now known for his presentations on MLS and all things soccer for FS1 and Fox Sports, alongside a certain Alexi Lalas.
2006 would be Hawaii's next appearance in a bowl game, and the last Hawaii Bowl appearance for June Jones. It was also the year that Colt Brennan began to leave his mark at the program as quarterback. Against Dirk Koetter's Arizona State Sun Devils, the Bows whipped ASU 41-24. Brennan and wide receiver Jason Rivers were best on ground for their efforts. They were part of the 2007 team that got inducted into the UH Circle of Fame. That team's lone loss came against Georgia, a regular to the New Year's Six under current gaffer Kirby Smart. The coach for Georgia in 2007? Mark Richt, who is now the coach at the Miami Hurricanes, who are also bowl eligible at 7-5 this year.
Notre Dame's lone victory over Hawaii was in 2008, a 49-21 rout. This was before the current golden period under Brian Kelly, 10 years ago. Greg McMackin was the coach at the time and it was not going to be easy for Hawaii to pick up the pieces after Jones left for SMU. (He is now with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats). McMackin again would fall short as they were stunned in 2010 by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 62-35. The coach at the time for Tulsa was a man by the name of Todd Graham. The 9-3 season was enough to see Graham take the job at Pittsburgh but he only lasted one year before a lengthy stint at Arizona State. Currently, as of this post, Graham remains unemployed. A season later, McMackin also would be sacked as coach of the Warriors.
McMackin's replacement was Norm Chow, and this was akin to the Philadelphia Eagles hiring Rich Kotite. The Warriors never made a bowl game under Chow's tenure with every season being a losing season and unsurprisingly, it would be his last-ever collegiate coaching gig, despite a cameo coaching at prep level in Southern California.
After Chow was fired as Warriors head coach and Chris Naeole fininished 2015 as interim coach, Nick Rolovich finally took over the program and in his first year, thanks to a petition, Hawaii played in the Hawaii Bowl for the first time since 2010. The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders were the opponents. The coach of that team? Rick Stockstill, who is still the coach to this day and who players are taking part the Conference USA Championship on their own home turf. 52-35 was the final score, with Dru Brown winning game MVP honors. Ironically, he would transfer to Oklahoma State after the following year in which the Rainbow Warriors regressed.
Which brings us to this season. Hawaii started the year 6-1, their lone loss during that stretch against another bowl-eligible team, the Army Black Knights, who stand to win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy after finally turning the tide against Navy after a length period of domination by the fleet. All Hawaii needed was one victory. But losses to BYU, Nevada, Fresno State and Utah State threatened to derail the Warriors' chances of the postseason. They were made to suffer against UNLV but were able to rally through the understudy to Cole McDonald, a freshman state champion from St. Louis High School, Chevan Cordeiro. St. Louis is also the alma mater of Timmy Chang. In the end, Hawaii were able to pull off some thrilling wins over the Rebels and San Diego State in San Diego, their first in three decades, and an overtime victory highlight by routine pass defense times two.
Some sources have Hawaii facing the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles are no strangers to the show, having participated in 2011. Jay Hopson is the head coach of the Golden Eagles for this season and comes from a successful run coaching Alcorn State and sticking it to established sides in the SWAC such as Grambling (who have regressed this season). An invitation to the Hawaii Bowl will be an excellent opportunity for Southern Miss to be a sleeper side for next season. The coach for the Golden Eagles at the time? Larry Fedora, who was fired at North Carolina. (Hey, they ARE a basketball school, first and foremost. Like Duke.)
Another source has Hawaii facing Louisiana Tech, a former conference rival back in the old Western Athletic Conference. Skip Holtz is the coach at La Tech, and he also is no stranger to the Hawaii Bowl having seen the experience firsthand as head coach at East Carolina. The Pirates were the beneficiary of Hawaii's perfect regular season in 2007 and pulled off an upset rin holding off the Boise State Broncos 41-38. Chris Petersen, at the time, was the coach. He is now at Washington getting ready to lead the Huskies to a possible Rose Bowl invite.
Still another source suggests that the school of Byron Leftwich and Randy Moss, the Marshall Thundering Herd, the sons (and daughters) of the great John Marshall, will be facing UH on Dec. 22. Now Marshall are already bowl eligible and will not gain much from their make-up game with Virginia Tech this week. However, the Herd have never been to the Hawaii Bowl and it would be understandable if the Hawaii Bowl Committee goes in a new direction and offers the other team from West Virginia a literal holiday vacation.
And yet, another source suggests that Middle Tennessee will get a crack at payback against Hawaii. MTSU were 8-4 heading into their most recent with the Warriors and finished third in their conference division. This season sees them far more improved and a return visit to Honolulu will be a great incentive to even the score and possibly spark a new rivalry for the Warriors.
Watch this space, because here at the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue (who have a stake in the fortunes of Rainbow Warrior Football), we believe that it will be the Herd that face Hawaii on Dec. 22. Watch this space because there will be an update to see if this is confirmed or another opponent is selected for the Green and White in their eighth Hawaii Bowl appearance.
EDIT: We have an opponent. To our modest surprise, the aforementioned Louisiana Tech has been named the Hawaii Bowl opponent for the Warriors.
QUEBEC — Quarterback Hugo Richard said "preparation and intensity" made the difference on Saturday as the fifth-year pivot led the Laval Rouge et Or to their record tenth title, beating the Western Mustangs 34-20 in the 54th Vanier Cup.
That preparation showed early as Laval scored its first of four touchdowns one minute into the game, with Richard hitting receiver Vincent Forbes-Mombleau on 46-yard throw in the end zone.
Richard said he didn’t expect to score a TD on his second throw of the game, but the Rouge et Or were ready from kickoff.
"We’ve been training hard all year and been waiting for this moment," he said.
Richard thrilled the 12,380 hometown fans at Telus stadium in Quebec City by completing 23-of-31 pass attempts for 348 yards and two touchdowns. The fifth-year QB also ran for 60 yards and a score.
Laval extracted a measure of revenge after its 39-17 loss to the Mustangs in last year’s Vanier Cup played in Hamilton. Western is second to Laval with seven national football championships in 14 appearances. Both teams went into the match undefeated during the season. The No. 1-ranked Mustangs were riding a 23-game winning streak. Laval still holds the consecutive win record at 25 (2012-14).
Laval head coach Glen Constantin said his team was "humbled" by the Mustangs last year.
"It’s been 12 months we’ve been waiting for this. The kids made a vow we’d be back," he said, crediting Richard and star defensive end Mathieu Betts for their leadership.
"Quarterbacks get in trouble when they try to do too much. (Richard) stayed within his scheme, he executed very well. He was sharp, he was clean. He had an outstanding game."
Richard said his next goal is to graduate, but was coy about his future. He was named game MVP, as he was in 2016 when Laval won its last Vanier Cup.
Betts, who has been scouted by the National Football League, could be destined to play pro football next year.
The loss was a little more painful than expected for Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall. As the clock ticked down the final seconds, he took a hit to the leg when a tackled player plunged to the sidelines.
"Maybe I deserved it," he joked. "I’m proud of my team. I’m disappointed, obviously."
Western QB Chris Merchant also got off to good start with a 26-yard completion to Cole Majoros, but was intercepted by Laval’s Maxym Lavallee with a 31-yard return. Laval’s David Cote notched a field goal on the subsequent drive. The Rouge et Or led 10-0 after the first quarter.
Marshall cited the pick as one of the turning points in the match.
"That’s sport. It was a play here, a play there. That changes the outcome of the game. I’m just happy we get to come here and compete," he said.
Merchant completed 26-of-46 passes for 358 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted three times.
The second quarter started with Western encroaching on the Laval zone on a 10-yard run by Cedric Joseph. Two completions by Merchant put the Mustangs on the goal line and Joseph strolled into the end zone untouched.
Richard threw a 27-yard pass to Jonathan Breton to gain position on the next drive, then hit Benoit Gagnon-Brousseau with a 22-yard for a score to go up 17-7. Western took over deep in its own zone, gambling on third and inches to prolong the drive before kicker Marc Liegghio then nailed a 36-yard field goal.
Liegghio kicked an 18-yard field goal with one second remaining in the first half, to leave the score 17-13.
Marshall said he felt his team would be able to stage a strong comeback going into locker-room, but the Rouge et Or played stingy defence to start the third and shut out Western’s offence until 10-minute mark of the fourth.
"(They) pinned us in and we started our drive at 15 yards after the kickoff. Credit to them. They did a good job," he said.
Merchant has one more year of eligibility and may get another shot at a second Vanier Cup. He said he was disappointed with his performance.
"I threw too many interceptions, gave the ball to them too many times. It’s a tough loss for us. We’re going to go regroup as a team and come back next year."
Western actually gained more total yardage than Laval (503 to 471) but the Rouge et Or defence was able to snuff out threatening attacks from the visitors.
This was the third time Laval and Western have met in the Vanier Cup. The Rouge et Or won the first matchup in 2008.
ISML 2018: High Turnouts Plateau On Ruby 5 By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue November 22, 2018
Match Day 5 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby has concluded and the turnouts have stabilized to 38-42,000 unique voters for the marquee races, well short of the anticipated 60,000 mark. Rinne Ohara will go into the 2018 International Saimoe League Summer Seasonal Championship as the odds-on favorite after a 16075-15050 win over Erythrocyte. She takes on Platelet, who defeated Mahiru Tsuyuzaki 15999-14935. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue projects Ohara to win by under 500 votes with an over/under of 35000 votes and the over.
In Female Division action, Chiyo Sakura defeated Yuki Nagato 16370-15117, Rin Tohsaka eased past Kamui Kanna 17510-14940, Saber slashed past Mirai Kuriyama 17018-14979, Nagisa Furukawa prevailed over Shinka Nibutani 16199-15966, Rem defeated Tooru 18016-17784 and Emilia whipped past Shiro 17384-15000.
Tamako Kitashirakawa flattened Tomoyo Daidouji 19130-14744, Asuna Yuuki routed Ai Haibara 24263-14484, Illyasviel von Einzbern rumbled past Taiga Aisaka 16419-15056, Reina Kousaka roared past Nanami Aoyama 18170-15131, Rikka Takanashi scored the Upset of the Round, a 18931-14549 scalp of Yukino Yukinoshita and Schwi Dola pummeled Kurisu Makise 18443-15157.
Wrapping up Female Division play, Nao Tomori defeated Utaha Kasumigaoka 15657-15208, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Shouko Nishimiya 20315-14687, Azusa Nakano romped past Sakura Kinomoto 17847-15512, Chtholly Nota Seniorious defeated Mashiro Shiina 18604-15230 and Sagiri Izumi dominated Haruhi Suzumiya 16625-14746.
In the Male Division, Shouto Todoroki prevailed over Ken Kaneki 15417-15313, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Kiyotaka Ayanokouji 15374-14697, Touma Kamijou broke Shouya Ishida 15454-15337, Subaru Natsuki prevailed over Kazuma Satou 15816-14951, Ainz Ooal Gown won a 17020-16940 barnburner over Levi and Li Syaoran defeated Kusuo Saiki 15489-15285.
Edward Elric roared past Ryuuji Takasu 15568-15372, Taki Tachibana defeated Rintarou Okabe 15650-15374, Willem Kmetsch punched Saitama 15970-15423, Eren Yeager prevailed over Itachi Uchiha 15819-15515, Gilgamesh impaled Archer 17473-12353 and Takashi Natsume defeated Karma Akabane 16354-14883.
Wrapping up Male Division play, Kyon defeated Izuku Midoriya 15666-15335, Nagisa Shiota whipped past Shirou Emiya 15728-15370, Tomoya Okazaki eased past Conan Edogawa 15454-15337, Astolfo defeated Izaya Orihara 15311-15138, Riku Dola rocked Yuuta Togashi 18806-14596 and Kiritsugu Emiya flew past Yato 15711-15197.
In action involved eliminated ISML participants, Chino Kafuu defeated Umaru Doma 16020-15680, Sakura Matou belted Eucliwood Hellscythe 16379-15139, Taihei Doma moved down Shizuo Heiwajima 15514-15353, Isla prevailed over Inori Yuzuriha 15687-15146, Sakamoto slammed Satoshi 15708-15167 and Monkey D. Luffy romped past Izayoi Sakamaki 15543-15167.
In Vocaloid action, favorite Miku Hatsune routed Meiko 16905-12869, Gumi defeated Lily 16498-15183, IA won the closest race of the round, a 15045-15035 thriller over Yukari Yuzuki, Rin Kagamine defeated Teto Kasane 15470-14626, Luka Megurine defefeated SeeU 15536-14972 and Len Kagamine defeated Kaito 15313-14598.
Match Day 6 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for November 25, 2018. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2018: We Called It - Over 30,000 Unique Voters For Ruby 4 By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue November 19, 2018
We called it. Over 30,000 unique voters came out for Match Day 4 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby Period and the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue is already hedging on an over/under of 60000 voters and the over for Ruby Match Day 5 after one of the biggest turnouts in the history of the competition.
In the Female Division, Yuki Nagato scored a 19731-14805 victory over Rin Tohsaka, Chiyo Sakura defeated Mirai Kuriyama 19230-16157, Kamui Kanna prevailed over Saber 19671-17506, Nagisa Furukawa won a 18481-18040 barnburner over Tooru, Emilia defeated Shinka Nibutani 22292-19111 and Rem routed Shiro 24319-12636.
Ai Haibara rolled past Tamako Kitashirakawa 22118-17039, Tomoyo Daidouji roared past Taiga Aisaka 18896-17358, Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Asuna Yuuki 18603-16595, Reina Kousaka prevailed over Rikka Takanashi 18838-17371, Nanami Aoyama prevailed over Schwi Dola 17634-16437 and Yukino Yukinoshita hammered Kurisu Makise 22958-13422.
Wrapping up Female Division play, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Nao Tomori 21074-17598, Utaha Kasumigaoka defeated Azusa Nakano 18054-16170, Sakura Kinomoto thumped Shouko Nishimiya 21479-14567, Magumin exploded past Mashiro Shiina in the Upset of the Roung, a 18734-16976 scalp, Yui Yuigahama defeated Haruhi Suzumiya 19700-17867 and Sagiri Izumi won a 19575-19196 nailbiter over Chtholly Nota Seniorious.
In the Make Division, Shouto Todoroki scored the closest victory of the round, a 16904-16844 thriller over Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, Ken Kaneki defeated Shouya Ishida 17150-16659, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Touma Kamijou 22520-13082, Ainz Ooal Gown whipped past Kazuma Satou 19536-15437, Subaru Natsuki defeated Li Syaoran 17215-16367 and Levi leveled Kusuo Saiki 19846-15762.
Rintarou Okabe roared past Ryuuji Takasu 19471-15374, Willem Kmetsch stormed past Edward Elric 18711-16076, Saitama punched Taki Tachibana 19393-15719, Archer dominated Eren Yeager 17464-17198, Karma Akabane prevailed over Itachi Uchiha 17227-16292 and Gilgamesh impaled Takashi Natsume 23509-12932.
Wrapping up Male Division action, Shirou Emiya whipped past Izuku Midoriya 20604-13266, Kyon won a 16908-16785 snoozer over Tomoya Okazaki, Nagisa Shiota defeated Conan Edogawa 17167-16573, Astolfo eased past Yuuta Togashi 18548-16546, Yato flew past Izaya Orihara 15270-12870 and Riku Dola rocked Kiritsugu Emiya 19761-14720.
In the Summer Seasonal quarterfinals, Erythrocyte belted Kuon Ohara 18149-16540, Platelet defeated Hikari Kagura 16607-16480, MMahiru Tsuyuzaki rolled past Yui Hanasaka 18515-15747 and BoBA-tipped favorite Rinne Ohara routed Aoi Yukimura 19761-14720.
In other action between already-eliminated ISML participants, Mitsuha Miyamizu defeated Sakura Matou 17675-16990,. Tohka Yatogami rolled past Umaru Doma 16696-16534, Eriri Spencer Sawamura eased past Chino Kafuu 18337-16516, Souma Yukihira dominated Izayoi Sakamaki 17003-16392, Saika Totsuka toasted Taihei Doma 16741-14505 and Sorata Kanda outwitted Sakamoto 17359-16540.
Finally, in other special exhibition action, Charlotte Hazelrin defeated Anthy Himemiya 16634-15247, Yoruichi Shihouin prevailed over Junpei Kousaka 15971-15897, Esdeath won a 16346-16158 snoozer over Junko Enoshima and in a battle of frogs, Gekota would not be denied against Keroro 16793-16650.
Match Day 5 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for November 19, 2018. The turnout is expected to be massive as we march into the postseason. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2018: Striking While The Iron Is Hot By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue November 16, 2018
Match Day 3 of the 2018 International Saimoe League is in the books, and the turnout was massive. In the Female Division, Rin Tosaka defeated Chiyo Sakura 17670-12605, Kamui Kanna throttled Mirai Kuriyama 18947-12015, Saber slashed past Yuki Nagato 17298-13727, Tooru roared past Shinka Nibutani 14003-13509, Rem rammed past Emilia 17988-16976 and Shiro defeated Nagisa Furukawa 15640-13953.
Ai Haibara prevailed over Tomoyo Daidouji 14272-13885, Asuna Yuuki routed Taiga Aisaka 19706-11624, Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Tamako Kitashirakawa 16630-13766, Rikka Takanashi rocked Nanami Aoyama 17536-12825, Yukino Yukinoshita eased past Schwi Dola 15618-14150 and Kurisu Makise whipped past Reina Kousaka 15659-13730.
Wrapping up Female Division action, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Utaha Kasumigaoka 17410-14646, Shouko Nishimiya romped past Azusa Nakano 15139-13762, Sakura Kinomoto scored the Upset of the Round, a 15265-13980 scalp of Nao Tomori, Mashiro Shiina prevailed over Yui Yuigahama 15347-15132, Chtholly Nota Seniorious defeated Haruhi Suzumiya 17536-15677 and Sagiri Izumi dominated Megumin 16726-12400.
In the Male Division, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji won a 13204-13119 nailbiter over Ken Kaneki, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Shouya Ishida 18405-10654, Shouto Todoroki broke Touma Kamijou 14206-12377, Subaru Natsuki defeated Ainz Ooal Gown 15678-12284, Levi leveled Li Syaoran 18091-10869 and Kazuma Satou prevailed over Kusuo Saiki 13334-13137.
Rintarou Okabe throttled Edward Elric 15265-11620, Willem Kmetsch eased past Taki Tachibana 15377-14527, Saitama punched Ryuuji Takasu 13640-13353, Archer dominated Itachi Uchiha 13592-12562, Gilgamesh impaled Karma Akabane 16933-10955 and Eren Yeager won a 13486-13349 barnburner over Takashi Natsume.
Wrapping up Male Division action, Shirou Emiya defeated Kyon 13949-13487, Nagisa Shiota won the closest race of the round, a 13513-13438 thriller over Tomoya Okazaki, Izuku Midoriya defeated Conan Edogawa 14795-12179, Yuuta Togashi whipped past Izaya Orihara 14139-13069, Yato flew past Riku Dola 14786-11640 and Kiritsugu Emiya drubbed Astolfo 13924-12598.
In Summer Seasonal action, Rinne Ohara defeated Shio Koube 13801-13098, Aoi Yukimura prevailed over Satou Matsuzaka 13645-13548, Erythrocyte whipped past Ayano Hanesaki 13512-12894, Kuon Ohara eased past Rachel Gardner 13304-13003, Platelet thrashed Ayaka Sunohara 14487-12146, Hikari Kagura trounched Hanako Honda 14465-12364, Mahiru Tsuyuzaki stormed past Satone Shichimiya 15543-12076 and Yui Hanasaka clobbered Nozomi Takamagahara 13743-12444.
In other action, Kaori Miyazono defeated Eucliwood Hellscythe 13985-12846, Jibril flew past Isla 14508-13266, Nero Claudius slashed past Inori Yuzuriha 15719-13253, Yuzuru Otonashi shot down Shizuo Heiwajima 13448-12437, Lancer impaled Satoshi 15127-12708 and Gintoki Sakata defeated Monkey D. Luffy 13346-12753.
Match Day 4 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for November 16, 2018. Vote for your fsvorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
