UVa. announces football signing class
The Virginia football program signed 25 student-athletes to a National Letters of Intent for the 2012-13 academic school year head coach Mike London announced. One additional recruit enrolled at UVa in January, topping the class off at 26. Highlighting the nationally ranked class are 13 signees from the state of Virginia, including 10 signees from the Tidewater region. Continue reading “UVa. announces football signing class” »
Weekend Watchdog: Best NFL weekend of the year
If you watch ESPN at all, you know Chris Berman’s going to be excited this weekend.
It’s time for the final eight NFL teams to meet. Four teams with first round byes hosting the four teams that won last weekend.
The weekend starts off Saturday at 4:30 p.m., as the Saints visit San Francisco on FOX. Both teams finished 13-3, and Drew Brees’ record-passing season will go against a tough 49er defense. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Best NFL weekend of the year” »
Weekend Watchdog: Championship time
The best two teams in college football meet Monday.
The best of the college football playoff level meet Saturday afternoon.
Saturday and Sunday, the NFL starts its run to the Super Bowl.
It’s a good time to be a football fan.
New Orleans hosts two of the big games – a Saints playoff game and the BCS National Championship between LSU and Alabama. ESPN has coverage Monday at 8:30 p.m.
LSU enters the game as the top-ranked team in the nation, thanks to a 9-6 overtime win over Alabama in November. With other rivals dropping down the stretch, the Crimson Tide climbed back into the championship game rematch.
There’s a few more games before the Tigers and Tide battle. FOX has the Cotton Bowl Friday at 8 p.m., matching Kansas State and Arkansas. Saturday at 1 p.m., Pittsburgh faces SMU in the Compass Bowl on ESPN, and Sunday at 9 p.m. Northern Illinois plays Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl.
The real Division I playoff concludes Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, with Sam Houston State playing North Dakota State. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Championship time” »
Tech rally comes up short in Sugar in OT loss
An apparent go-ahead touchdown catch by Danny Coale was overturned on replay. That’s when things started going downhill for Virginia Tech.
Third-string kicker Justin Myer missed on a 37-yard field-goal attempt after making his first four tries, and Michigan’s Brendan Gibbons nailed a 37-yarder moments later to lift the Wolverines to a 23-20 overtime win in the Sugar Bowl.
The loss was the fifth in six BCS appearances for Virginia Tech (11-3), and the second straight loss for the Hokies after an 11-1 regular season.
Tech had to rally to get as close as it did. Trailing 17-9 entering the fourth quarter, the Hokies tied it up when Logan Thomas scored from a yard out to cap a 16-play, 61-yard drive and then converted a two-point pass to Marcus Davis. Continue reading “Tech rally comes up short in Sugar in OT loss” »
Weekend Watchdog: Chilly in Philly?
For the second straight year, the NHL brings its Winter Classic to Pennsylvania.
We’ll see if it will be chilly enough in Philly.
The Flyers host the Rangers Monday at 1 p.m. on NBC in the fifth Winter Classic. The fourth Classic, last year in Pittsburgh, had to be moved to the evening due to rain. Previous Classics in Buffalo, Chicago and Boston provided enough cold and thrills to make the contest a highlight of the schedule.
The festivities include an Alumni Game Saturday at 1 p.m. on Versus. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Chilly in Philly?” »
Weekend Watchdog: Basketballs on Christmas Day
NBA fans got their Christmas presents a few weeks ago – a shortened season, but still a season.
The 2011-12 season starts Christmas Day with five games.
TNT begins the day at noon, with the Celtics visiting the Knicks.
ABC takes over at midway with a 2010 Final rematch between the Heat and Mavericks at 2:30 p.m. The Bulls play the Lakers at 5 p.m.
ESPN caps the day with a doubleheader, as the Magic travel to Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. The Clippers battle the Warriors at 10:30 p.m.
Your NFL weekend begins with the AFC South champion Texans at the 1-13 Colts on NFL Network Thursday at 8 p.m. Christmas Night, the Packers host Chicago on NBC while ESPN has its final Monday Night game with the Saints hosting the Falcons. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Basketballs on Christmas Day” »
Weekend Watchdog: First of 35
Saturday starts the college bowl season. Over the next 24 days, there will be 35 bowl games from New Mexico to New Orleans.
Only six days are quiet – and one is January 1. It’s a Sunday, so the NFL takes the field and bowls wait until January 2.
ESPN has the first three bowls of the season – starting at 2 p.m. with Temple facing Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl. It’s off to the blue turf as Ohio plays Utah State at the Idaho Potato Bowl, then the day concludes with the New Orleans Bowl – San Diego State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.
It’s a long way and a lot of games until LSU-Alabama Jan. 9. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: First of 35” »
Pasztor named to AP All-America team
Virginia senior offensive guard Austin Pasztor was named to the Associated Press’ All-America team on Wednesday. The worldwide news agency named the Langton, Ontario, native to its second team. The All-America nod is the first of the UVa starting left guard’s career.
Pasztor allowed zero sacks on the season and in 846 offensive plays yielded only two quarterback hurries. He posted an average grade of 92 percent and seven knockdown blocks per game. Pasztor was an All-ACC first-team honoree and was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Nov. 7 after grading out at 93 percent when UVa rolled up 527 yards of total offense at Maryland.
Pasztor teamed up with Oday Aboushi (LT), Anthony Mihota (C), Luke Bowanko (RG) and Morgan Moses (RT) to start all 12 regular-season games in 2011, becoming the first UVa offensive line unit to start an entire season together since 2004. The results havebeen evident as the rushing attack has flourished for 1,984 yards, the most coincidently by the UVa team since that same 2004 season.
Pasztor becomes the first UVa player to be named to the Associated Press’ All-America team since Eugene Monroe was also a second-team honoree in 2008.
Weekend Watchdog: Army-Navy
How do you know the college football regular season is over? Army and Navy play. The annual battle moves to FedEx Stadium this year, on CBS Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
It hasn’t been a great gridiron year for either team – no bowl trips like in 2010. But over 100 years of history permeates the matchup, which will make its first trip to the Nation’s Capital.
The end of the regular season means awards season starts. ESPN has most of the awards Thursday at 9 p.m., and the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday at 8 p.m.
The old I-AA continues its march to a national championship with the quarterfinals this weekend.Northern Iowa takes on Montana Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, and Saturday at noon Montana State battles Sam Houston State on ESPN.
Another AFC team visits Washington this week – Tom Brady and the Patriots take on the Redskins on CBS at 1 p.m. CBS has the doubleheader, with Oakland’s visit to 12-0 Green Bay highlighting the late schedule. FOX in Washington offers the Bears’ trip to Denver.
The NFL network has the Browns facing the Steelers Thursday at 8 p.m. The Cowboys and Giants battle for the top of the NFC East Sunday on NBC, while ESPN has the Rams heading to Seattle Monday night.
In college basketball, CBS has Duke facing Washington Saturday at noon, warming up for the Army-Navy game.
ESPN2 starts its weekend in the Big East, with Harvard at Connecticut Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by West Virginia at Kansas State. Friday at 8 p.m., it’s the battle of Richmond as VCU plays the Spiders.
ESPN offers a pair of contests Saturday – Ohio State at Kansas at 3:15 p.m. followed by the border war of Kentucky-Indiana.
ESPN2 has a full day of hoops Saturday. The day begins in Cincinnati, with the Bearcats taking on Xavier at noon. Oklahoma State plays Pittsburgh at 2:30 p.m., then it’s east on the turnpike to show Villanova-Temple at 5 p.m. West Virginia visits Miami at 7 p.m., and Michigan State closes the night with a game at Gonzaga.
Comcast has four contests on Saturday, starting with Austin Peay at Tennessee at noon. Then it’s west for BYU-Utah at 2 p.m. and Clemson’s trip to Arizona at 4 p.m. George Washington faces Syracuse at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, MASN brings a pair of Big East games – Howard at Georgetown at noon and Fairleigh-Dickinson vs. Louisville at 4 p.m. – with the NEC contest between Loyola and Mt. St. Marys at 2 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m., South Florida hosts Florida A&M.
Comcast offers the Pennsylvania battle between the Penguins and Flyers Thursday at 7 p.m. The Capitals host Toronto Friday at 7 p.m.
NBC has the Shark’s Shootout Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Mike Judge blogs at http://weekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Conference title time
Saturday, the 12-member Big Ten will host its first conference championship game. And teams in the 10-member Big 12 will be finishing their regular seasons – too small for a title game this year. That’s how we end the regular season.
In the Big Ten, Michigan State meets Wisconsin in Indianapolis for the BCS berth Saturday on FOX. The Pac-12 also holds its first conference title game, matching Oregon and UCLA Friday at 8 p.m. on FOX.
The league that started it all at major college level – the SEC – has its 20th conference championship game Saturday at 4 p.m. on CBS. Top-ranked LSU faces Georgia, with the Tigers hoping to go for another national championship.
The ACC title game clash between Virginia Tech and Clemson is on ESPN Saturday at 8 p.m.
Other conference championship games include the MAC(Ohio vs. Northern Illinois) Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and the Conference USA matchup between Southern Mississippi and Houston Saturday at noon on ABC.
It all starts Thursday as West Virginia visits South Florida at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Other Big East teams close out the regular season Saturday at noon – Connecticut at Cincinnati on ESPN while Syracuse visits Pittsburgh on ESPN2.
Without a championship game, the Big 12 brings some rivals together. Oklahoma battles Oklahoma State in a top-10 contest on ABC at 8 p.m.
Versus shows TCU vs. UNLV at 2:30 p.m., with BYU ends the season at Hawaii at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
It’s the weekend of the Colts matchup with New England, annually one of the best TV draws of the season. Not so in 2011. NBC pulled it from the Sunday night lineup weeks ago, putting Detroit at New Orleans there instead.
The Eagles travel to Seattle Thursday on NFL Network to start the weekend, and ESPN has the Chargers playing in Jacksonville Monday night. Sunday, the Redskins are on CBS in Washington as the Jets come to town at 1 p.m. FOX in Washington can only show one game of the doubleheader, going with Packers at Giants at 4:15 p.m.
The Capitals have another big meeting with the Penguins, Thursday at 1 p.m. on Comcast. Ottawa visits Verizon Center Saturday at 7 p.m.
Fresh off the ACC-Big Ten challenge, Virginia hosts Longwood Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast. Texas heads to UCLA at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Comcast shows St. Joseph’s at American at 8 p.m.
CBS starts its march to the Final Four with North Carolina visiting Kentucky Saturday at noon.
ESPN brings a pair of matchups between the Big East and SEC Friday – Florida at Syracuse at 7 p.m. followed by Vanderbilt-Louisville. Saturday, Connecticut hosts Arkansas at 3:15 p.m., then Pittsburgh takes on Tennessee.
ESPN2 starts the weekend Thursday at 7:15 p.m., with St. John’s at Kentucky. Georgetown heads to Alabama at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Gonzaga plays Illinois at 3:15 p.m., followed by South Florida facing Kansas.
MASN has George Washington’s trip to Kansas State Thursday at 8 p.m., and two contests Saturday – Charlotte at East Carolina at 5 p.m. followed by Winthrop at Gardner-Webb. It’s a pair of games Sunday from Washington, with George Washington playing VCU at 2 p.m. followed by Maryland-Notre Dame.
Tiger Woods gets to play with the big boys this weekend, at the Chevron World Championship Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC.
More from Weekend Watchdog Mike Judge at http://WeekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Feast of Thanksgiving sports
At Thanksgiving dinner, some brothers fight over the drumsticks. This Thanksgiving, two brothers will be fighting for NFL victory.
Jim Harbaugh brings his surprising 49ers across the country to face brother John’s Baltimore Ravens on the NFL Network game at 8 p.m. Jim’s 49ers have won eight straight, pulling away with the NFC West. John’s Ravens edged Cincinnati Sunday to pull into first place in the AFC North.
The first game of the day looks pretty good too – 10-0 Green Bay at Detroit on FOX. Prepare for plenty of clips from the 1962 Thanksgiving game. In between, the Cowboys host the Dolphins on CBS. Keep Leon Lett away from the ball.
Sunday, the Redskins head west to see if Washington state is a better venue than inside the Washington beltway. Kickoff against the Seahawks is 4 p.m.
CBS shows a doubleheader, with the Bills taking on the Jets at 1 p.m. and Eagles hosting the Patriots at 4:15 p.m. In primetime, the Steelers visit Kansas City on NBC. The Giants head to New Orleans Monday night on ESPN.
The ACC Coastal Division comes down to one game – Virginia Tech at Virginia on ABC at 3:30 p.m. Other areas of the country have the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State, and in those areas Hokies-Cavs will be on ESPN2.
The college football weekend begins Thursday with the final meeting of Texas and Texas A&M as conference rivals. ESPN has kickoff at 8 p.m.
It’s a full day Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 with South Florida hosting Louisville. Iowa closes its regular season against new conference foe Nebraska at noon on ABC, followed by Miami vs. Boston College.
CBS has the big game between Arkansas and LSU at 2:30 p.m. ESPN’s primetime doubleheader starts with the Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia at 7 p.m., followed by California-Arizona State.
Comcast brings Conference USA action at noon, with Houston traveling to Tulsa.
Saturday, the ACC network has North Carolina State trying to become bowl eligible against Maryland at 12:30 p.m. Comcast brings Duke-North Carolina at 3 p.m.
CBS has the Iron Bowl matching Alabama and Auburn at 3:30 p.m., while NBC has the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling at 2:30 p.m.
ABC begins the day with Ohio State-Michigan, then heads west for Notre Dame’s game with Stanford at 8 p.m.
ESPN’s Saturday starts with Georgia at Georgia Tech at noon, then Penn State and Wisconsin battle for a berth in the first Big Ten championship game at 3:30 p.m. In primetime, Clemson faces South Carolina.
ESPN2 offers Rutgers vs. Connecticut at noon and Florida State taking on Florida at 7 p.m.
On FX, Iowa State goes for its second straight big upset at Oklahoma at noon. Versus heads west for Washington State at Washington at 7:30 p.m.
MASN has the Big East game of the week – Cincinnati at Syracuse – at noon before offering New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m.
Comcast continues in the Conference USA Saturday, as Rice visits SMU at noon before Southern Cal plays UCLA at 10:30 p.m.
NBC offers NHL hockey on Friday, with the Red Wings visiting Boston. Comcast shows the Rangers’ trip to Washington Friday at 4 p.m. and visit to Buffalo Saturday at 7 p.m.
Feast Week features plenty of college basketball throughout the weekend. ESPN2 gets it going at noon Thursday with Texas Tech vs. Indiana State from the Old Spice Classic. Minnesota-DePaul follows, then it’s west for the 76 Classic – Villanova against UC-Riverside at 4:30 p.m.
It’s back to the Old Spice Classic at 7 p.m., with Wake Forest taking on Dayton followed by Arizona State-Fairfield. At 11:30 p.m., it’s back to the 76 Classic for Oklahoma’s game with Washington State.
Friday, ESPN has games from the Old Spice Classic starting at noon, and the final of the preseason NIT at 5 p.m. ESPN2 continues coverage from the Old Spice Classic, then North Carolina plays South Carolina in Las Vegas at 10 p.m. At midnight, there’s another game from the 76 Classic.
Saturday features another game from Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2, and Sunday there’s two games from the Old Spice Classic starting at 4:30 p.m. before a final game from the 76 Classic at 9 p.m.
Versus offers action from the Battle 4 Atlantis Thursday, with Central Florida vs. College of Charleston at 2 p.m., then Florida State meeting Massachusetts. The two semifinals are on Friday, starting at 2 p. m., and the consolation and championship game are Saturday starting at 2 p.m.
MASN has the Great Alaska Shootout, starting Thursday at 10:30 p.m., with Central Michigan facing New Mexico State. The semifinals start Friday at 9:30 p.m., followed by the third place game Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and the championship at midnight.
In the lower 48 on MASN, Ohio takes on Louisville Friday at 7 p.m.
ESPN has women’s basketball Sunday, with Baylor visiting Tennesee at 2 p.m.
More at http://WeekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Speed, kicks come to an end
It’s championship weekend for NASCAR and the MLS. The Sprint Cup champion will be crowned Sunday at Homestead, with ESPN providing coverage at 3 p.m. Carl Edwards holds a slim lead over Tony Stewart, who has won four of the first nine races in the chase.
The MLS season closes Sunday at 9 p.m. on ESPN, when Los Angeles plays Houston for the MLS Cup. The Galaxy finished the season with the best record in the MLS, and will be playing at home against the Dynamo – seventh best in the regular season. Former Virginia soccer coach Bruce Arena and David Beckham look to keep the Cup in L.A.
The Nationwide racers also end their campaign this weekend, with the final green flag dropping Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Virginia Tech opens the college football weekend Thursday, hosting North Carolina on ESPN at 8 p.m. Friday, second-ranked Oklahoma State travels to Iowa State on ESPN at 8 p.m.
Virginia tries to keep alive its hope for an ACC championship, traveling to Florida State Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The ACC network offers Georgia Tech at Duke at 12:30 p.m., and Comcast has Maryland playing Wake Forest at 3 p.m. Clemson gears up for the ACC championship game, facing N.C. State on ABC at 3:30 p.m.
Notre Dame hosts Boston College at 4 p.m on NBC.
ABC’s afternoon offerings include Penn State at Ohio State or Texas Tech-Missouri. ESPN will carry the Penn State game in the Fishersville area. In primetime, ABC has either USC vs. Oregon or Oklahoma traveling to Baylor.
Arkansas hosts Mississippi State on CBS at 3:30 p.m.
Versus has “The Game” – Harvard vs. Yale – Saturday at noon. Then it’s out west for Colorado State at TCU, with Colorado taking on UCLA at 7:30 p.m.
ESPN begins its Saturday with Nebraska’s trip to Michigan at noon. Top-ranked LSU takes on Mississippi at 7 p.m., followed by California’s battle with Stanford. ESPN2 has Wisconsin facing Illinois at noon.
MASN opens the day with a Big East battle between Louisville and Connecticut at noon. Liberty faces Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m., with the WAC game between Utah State and Idaho following. Comcast’s CAA game at noon features William & Mary at Richmond.
FX brings Kansas State taking on Texas at 8 p.m.
Can the Redskins stop their losing streak? The Cowboys come to town Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX. That means CBS in Washington can only show one game – San Diego at Chicago at 4:15 p.m.
The Eagles try to slow their recent troubles on NBC Sunday Night, as the Giants come calling. The Chiefs visit New England on ESPN Monday night, while NFL Network showcases the Jets at Tim Tebow and the Broncos Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
It’s President’s Cup weekend down under. Golf Channel has the live coverage in primetime, and NBC offers tape-delayed action Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at noon.
ESPN2 gets college basketball going for the weekend Thursday at 5 p.m., as Maryland plays Alabama. It’s Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State at 7 p.m., followed by Arizona-St. John’s. Friday, there’s two games from the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament starting at 4:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., it’s a semifinal game from Puerto Rico.
The championship game from Puerto Rico will be Sunday at 8 p.m., with the third place game tipping at 5:30 p.m.
MASN offers a basketball battle of Baltimore Thursday at 7 p.m., with Loyola facing UMBC. Sunday at 1 p.m., Coppin State travels to Connecticut.
The Capitals make their first trip to Southeast Division rival Winnipeg Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast and travel to Toronto Saturday at 7 p.m.
