Sports News Briefs
Sammy Dewey, Senior Writer
Courtesy of tigernet.com
Local
Clemson’s Swinney promises pizza to Death Valley fans
“The only poll that we’re excited about is Dec. 6, and I promise you we’ll have the biggest poll party you’ve seen. We’ll open up Death Valley and serve pizza to everybody. That’ll be a time to celebrate a poll. Until then it doesn’t matter,” said Clemson University Head coach Dabo Swinney. The Clemson Tigers are now witnessing one of the best college football years in their history being ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoffs poll for two straight weeks after beating N.C. State and Florida State the previous weeks. With Dabo promising pizza for 80,000 fans, things must be going right in Tigertown as the College Football Playoffs edge closer.
Panthers off to best start
With their eighth straight win the Carolina Panthers are off to their best start in franchise history. Being one of the only three undefeated teams left in the NFL, the Panthers are taking games one at a time. “It wasn’t a pretty eight, but it is eight,” said Cam Newton, quarterback of the Panthers. “And that is gorgeous in itself.” The Panthers are set to take on the Titans in Tennessee this Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m.
National
NBA season kicks off
The NBA is back as the 2015-1016 regular season returned the last week of October. The Golden State Warriors will be looking to repeat as champions after winning their first title since 1975. LeBron James will also be hopeful with a return to the Finals, as the team gets back to health. Kevin Love has immediately returned, but Kyrie Irving is still out.
Teams that have surprised early on have been the Detroit Pistons with Andre Drummond averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds a game already, and the Utah Jazz who are holding teams to only an average of 85 points a game with their stingy defense. Some early disappointing teams are the New Orleans Pelicans, with a rising star in Anthony Davis, with a 1-6 record, and the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers who both have a 0-7 record.
Courtesy of theguardian.com
International
England’s soccer coach calls it quits
As of Nov. 11, Stuart Lancaster has quit as England’s soccer coach by “mutual consent.” This following England’s abysmal performance in the previous World cup on home soil. The leading candidates to replace him are Eddie Jones, the former Japan coach and now over at Western Stormers, and Joe Schmidt, the Scotland coach and Ireland. In the 2014 World Cup, Jones led the Japan team to three out of four victories and has publicly declared interest in the head coach vacancy for England. Schmidt, probably having the best resume, has coached Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles and leading Leinster to two titles as well.
Campus
NGU winning streak broken
On Saturday, Nov. 7, North Greenville University Crusader’s football team unfortunately had its six-game winning streak snapped at Carson Newman 48-45. The Crusaders did manage to lead the matchup with more total yards, 413 to 407. Ashton Heard rushed for 131 yards on 26 carries and passed the 1,000 yard mark for the season, being the first running back to do this for NGU since 2007. A total of 21 points were scored from Carson Newman off six turnovers from NGU which would prove to be the difference maker.
NGU football is now looking forward to closing the regular season in an unconventional game this Friday night as it hosts Livingstone College at 7 p.m. This will be the first meeting between these two teams. The Crusaders were supposed to play Clark Atlanta University, but could not due to scheduling conflicts.
