All Sport Live

Plymouth Parkway v Ilfracombe Town
The FA Carlsberg Vase 
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 17 November 2007
Bolitho Park, Plymouth Parkway FC
Winning clubs receive £1,000
Click here for the fixtures

The battle to be the pride of Devon is up for grabs this weekend, as Ilfracombe Town travel to face Plymouth Parkway in The FA Vase.

Manager Barry Yeo takes his Ilfracombe team, who play in the Toolstation Western Premier Division, the breadth of the county to face Carlsberg South Western League’s Plymouth, believing that a derby atmosphere will give the game an extra edge.

“It’s a very local game for us. It’ll definitely give it an edge and we can’t wait for it,” said Yeo.

“We’ve seen in the local paper that they’ve had us watched and we’ve had a look at them. They’re a physical side and it’s going to be very competitive out there.

“Over the years, I can’t remember the teams ever playing each other and despite us being fairly close there are no links between the clubs.”

With Parkway sitting at the top of their league, and Town riding high themselves, Yeo is predicting an entertaining afternoon.

“Credit to them for being top of their league,” he added. 

“But we’re doing well ourselves. I’m always confident and at worst, we want them back at our place.

“I’ve always believed though that your best chance to beat someone is on the first occasion.

“We’re taking a bus load of supporters and there’ll be plenty travelling by car, so we’re going to have plenty of fans behind us down there. It’s the most fans we will have taken away for a long time.

“With Plymouth Argyle playing away as well, I know they’re confident of attracting more fans than usual. It should be a great game.”

It promises to be quite an afternoon.

Source: The cream of Devon?

Toyota F1

Toyota have signed Kamui Kobayashi as their test and reserve driver, replacing Franck Montagny.

The Japanese driver has been part of Toyota’s Young Drivers Programme since 2001 and is expected to take part in the team’s next winter test session in Jerez, Spain next month.

"This is a great challenge for me and I am very excited about becoming a Formula One driver," he said. "I am sure I will learn a lot about Formula One cars and hopefully this will help me in my future career, but for now I am focused on helping the team move forward."

Kobayashi has competed in the F3 Euro Series the past two years, scoring one victory this year and finishing fourth in the championship. He is expected to make the switch to GP2 in 2008. He will hope to follow in the footsteps of Kazuki Nakajima, who parlayed a testing role with Williams into a full time drive with the team next year.

"Kamui tested the car last winter and showed he had the potential to drive in F1 in the future," said Toyota racing chairman and team principal Tadashi Yamashima. "Now, after another season gaining experience in Formula Three, we believe he is ready for the challenge of Formula One."

Source: Kobayashi joins Toyota as test driver

Canada

PARIS - European champions Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France had a big lead after the compulsory dance at the Eric Bompard Trophy figure skating meet Friday.

In second place after the compulsory in this fourth of six meets in the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix series were Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski of Russia. In third place were Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., were seventh among 10 couples.

Delobel and Schoenfelder were fourth at the 2007 world championships in Tokyo and are on course to be on the podium in Goteborg, Sweden, next March.

Source: Canadians seventh after compulsory dance

And then there was much rejoicing.

All across the college football world, there were plenty of smiles Thursday night, at least everywhere outside of Eugene, Ore. Arizona’s 34-24 win over the Ducks gives us yet another wacky turn and twist in a wild, improbable season.

Oregon, ranked second in the BCS, didn’t have quite the control over its destiny that many believed. Why? Because Kansas probably would’ve moved into the top two if it won out, and LSU was going to be cemented in the top spot if it could win its final three games. Still, it was certainly going to be interesting.

Ducks QB Dennis Dixon, the Heisman front-runner, didn’t necessarily have the trophy locked up, but he was going to be in the top two and likely would’ve won by default if he could’ve led his team to wins over Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State.

It might not be fair, but after his knee injury early against Arizona, he’s likely out of the race, though he will likely finish in the top three. It’s cruel, but that’s part of the deal when it comes to injuries and the Heisman. Ask Michigan RB Mike Hart.

But now the picture has become much, much clearer for the national title. Basically, here’s the deal: (Warning: Take a deep breath, put a log on the fire, get some cocoa and try to relax. Digest the dizzying array of scenarios about to be thrown at you.)

1) LSU controls its own destiny

It already did, but now the possibility of any debate is over. The Tigers have the best résumé of any team — dominant wins over Virginia Tech and Mississippi State and victories over Florida, Auburn and Alabama. If they win out (wins over Arkansas and in the SEC Championship), the Tigers are in the BCS Championship.

2) The Big 12 champion will likely play for the national championship

New bowl scenario BCS Championship
LSU vs. Oklahoma

Rose Bowl
Michigan vs. ASU

Fiesta Bowl
Oregon vs. Missouri

Orange Bowl
Va. Tech vs. West Virginia

Sugar Bowl
Ohio St. vs. Boise St.

Likely Heisman Finish 1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida
2. Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
3. Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU

It’s a no-brainer if Kansas beats Iowa State and Missouri and beats the likely South representative, Oklahoma, in the Big 12 title game. As the only unbeaten BCS conference team (and likely to move from three to two if it can get a win over the Cyclones), KU controls its own destiny.

But the same goes for Oklahoma. The Sooners are the second-most talented team in the mix right now, just behind LSU, and the pollsters know it. If they can beat Texas Tech and Oklahoma State and then get a win over the Missouri/Kansas winner in the Big 12 title game, they’re in the national championship.

The big, screaming winner on Thursday night was Missouri. At No. 5 in last week’s BCS rankings, it’s considered the third team in the Big 12 mix. Now, with a win over Kansas State this week and a win over Kansas, the Big 12 title game would be in essence a semifinal for a shot at the national title.

Assuming the Sooners win their final two regular season games, to win the Big 12 title Mizzou will likely have to beat the No. 2 team in the nation in back-to-back weeks (with the assumption that KU will be ranked second, and then OU would move up if Missouri beats the Jayhawks in Kansas City).

Got all that? It’s simple, really. If the winner of the Big 12 Championship doesn’t lose the rest of the way, it’ll be playing for the national championship.

3) Realistically, West Virginia, Ohio State and Arizona State need LSU to lose and could use the Big 12 to become wacky

In a perfect world for the Mountaineers, Buckeyes and Sun Devils … LSU loses, likely in the SEC title game, and there’s a big upset of the eventual Big 12 champion. It’s not a crazy scenario for Oklahoma to lose at Texas Tech and still win the Big 12 Championship. Missouri could certainly gag at Kansas State and still beat Kansas and OU. Even if OU loses to Texas Tech or Kansas State and KU finishes the year 12-1, with the only defeat being in the Big 12 title game, the Big 12 won’t get a team in the national championship.

It’s really not that complicated. Basically, there are seven teams in the national championship chase. Two will be eliminated from the three Big 12 teams. LSU is in unless it loses, and then let the debate begin if all chaos breaks loose.

So let’s say LSU loses and/or the eventual Big 12 champion finishes the season with two losses. And then let’s say West Virginia, Ohio State and Arizona State all win out. What would be the pecking order of the three?

What’s hot:

COACH Steve Folkes has claimed his plundered Bulldogs will be better off without Australia star Willie Mason, even as they head towards 2008 as premiership outsiders.

Folkes’ media appearances can usually be likened to a trip to the dentist but the Dogs mentor was uncharacteristically candid at Belmore as he got the Mason saga off his chest.

That included the suggestion that Mason’s defection to the Sydney Roosters on a three-year deal had been his aim all through his public brawl with the Bulldogs, and an admission that the friendship between the player and his ex-coach had suffered.

Asked directly if he believed the departure of one of the game’s biggest stars – on top of the loss of experienced duo Mark O’Meley and Brent Sherwin – was the better outcome for the club, Folkes pulled no punches.

"Yes I do," he said.

"We’ll move on, we’ll be a much tighter unit."

And that will partly be because the Bulldogs players added their voices to the decision, Folkes said.

"This has been a joint decision," he said.

"It’s been made out like it’s been solely a management decision but I can assure the players had some input and it’s the right decision for this club at this time."

But possibly his most explosive remark came when asked why he thought Mason had wanted out of the club.

"I guess if I was a cynic I might say that this whole thing was engineered so that he could end up at the Roosters, but I’m not," Folkes said.

"I don’t know, it blew up very quickly as a result of us wishing to sit down with Willie and his management and resolve a few issues with regard to wearing the right apparel, fulfilling obligations to sponsors.

"It’s disappointing that it was played out in the media as it was. It certainly wasn’t of our making that that happened."

Folkes said a strong message needed to be sent to his other players and to sponsors that club obligations needed to be fulfilled.

"Willie wasn’t prepared to fall in line and do some of the things he was requested to do and fulfil those obligations," he said.

"I don’t believe anyone’s naive enough to believe that we let Willie Mason go because he didn’t attend one grand final function."

And it appears friendships have been stretched by the ugly split.

"It’s not a bag Willie Mason session, he was great for us on the field over a long period of time," Folkes said.

"He had some really good mates here and I’d like to consider that I was one of his mates and maybe still am."

Mason had claimed several more Bulldogs wanted out of Belmore but Folkes said he had personally spoken with those rumoured to be disgruntled and "that certainly wasn’t the case".

He also rejected Mason’s claim the famed Bulldogs’ culture had gone downhill during the player’s time there.

The Dogs have been depleted in recent seasons, particularly in the front row with the losses of O’Meley, Mason, Roy Asotasi and Steve Price but Folkes said he would relish life as an outsider.

"Being 25-1 I reckon is good, most years we’re fairly short and I think it gives us the opportunity to prepare for the season away from the spotlight," he said.

With clubs close to finalising their 2008 rosters, the Dogs are likely to be major players for big names off contract in 2009.

"It remains to be seen whether we go outside and look for someone of high profile or whether we try and bring some young guys through but it certainly gives us the option of doing either," Folkes said.

Mason responded to Folkes in a statement to the Nine Network.

"Steve Folkes does not have my respect or the respect of the players," he was quoted as saying by Nine.

"I’m very disappointed he’s made this personal because I avoided that yesterday, but now the gloves are off."

The Nine report also claimed Mason had said Folkes was a large part of the reason he had left the Bulldogs.

AAP

Source: Folkes says Bulldogs better off

Xavier Silas scored 24 points to lead Colorado to an 83-59 victory over Florida A&M Thursday in the opening game of the America’s Youth Classic tournament.

The sophomore guard was 8-of-11 from the floor and scored 18 points in the first half as the Buffaloes (1-1) opened up a huge lead early and were never seriously threatened.

Silas’ jumper with 10:28 left in the first half gave Colorado a 25-7 lead.

Filed under Colorado

Source: Colorado 83, Florida A&amp,M 59

Wellington v Friar Lane & Epworth
The FA Carlsberg Vase 
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 17 November 2007
Wellington Playing Field, Wellington FC
Winning clubs receive £1,000
Click here for the fixtures

There was a time when Friar Lane was a name to be reckoned with in amateur football. In the mid-1970’s - they even made two appearances at the Semi Final stage of The FA Vase.

However, hard times have since fallen upon the Leicestershire side, and they have now merged with local side Epworth Forest.

Friar Lane and Epworth manager Alan Brett is hoping that the bond between his young side can help bring back some joy back to the Midland Alliance club, as they prepare to take on Wellington of the West Midlands Regional League on Saturday.

“This is as far as we’ve been in The Vase for a while,” said Brett. 

“We’re very excited about the game. This club’s got a bit of history with The Vase.

“There are a lot of very, very good sides left in the competition so we’ve got to be realistic, but we’re going to enjoy ourselves.”

With finances tight at the club, many of the players have come through the youth ranks at both Friar Lane and Epworth, so Brett believes that is the underlying strength in his squad.

“They are all like a unit, they’re a bunch of special lads to me,” enthused Brett.

“Six or seven of them all came through together. They’re very good players and a lot have been tempted to move for better money. Luckily for us, they’re such a close knit unit and they’re also good pals.

“We’ve just got to hope that we can keep them all together for another three or four years for when they reach their peak.”

Source: Smells like team spirit

Yahoo! Sports

(CSTV U-WIRE) LOS ANGELES — It’s not the flashiest way to win. It won’t put up video game-like numbers on the scoreboard or keep fans glued to their seats.

But as the Trojans look to finish out the end of the season with three final victories, their best bet is to stick with the running game, which exploded behind Chauncey Washington last week for 239 yards against Cal.

Running plays accounted for 70.6 percent of Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling against the Bears, allowing Washington to post a career-high 220 yards on 29 carries.

So why tamper with what’s working? They don’t call USC “Tailback U” for nothing. Coach Carroll did recruit 10 top-flight running backs to this roster. Let the offense continue to gravitate toward blue chips Washington, Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight.

It’s unlikely that any defense can shut down all three on any given night. Chauncey provides the power, Joe offers the outside speed and Stafon contributes a little of both.

Most importantly, perhaps, is the fact that USC’s running backs now run behind a fully healthy offensive line. Sam Baker, Chilo Rachal and Matt Spanos have finally made it back into the lineup.

And the effect in the Cal game was evident. USC’s healthy O-line dominated the Bears at the line of scrimmage, clearing lanes for Washington all night long.

And if a fully healthy offensive line seems like just as much of a reason to open up the passing attack, think again. The Trojans are still plagued by dropped passes and other miscues.

Whether it’s the young receiving core’s inexperience or John David Booty’s poor decisions, the passing game has been too inconsistent.

Sticking with the rushing attack can alleviate these problems. The Trojans can live by age-old football wisdom, which suggests establishing the run will open up the passing game. This will allow the Trojans to take a little bit of pressure off Booty’s shoulders — and we all know he’s had his fair share of that this season.

In USC’s only truly dominant victories this season against Nebraska and Notre Dame, the running game stood out as the root of the Trojans’ success. Tailback U racked up 313 yards on the ground against the Cornhuskers and 227 against the Fighting Irish.

True, Notre Dame and Nebraska are both having terrible years, but in how many games has our passing game really exploded?

The passing attack has only eclipsed the 300-yard mark once this season when Booty threw for 364 in a loss to Stanford. Its inconsistency has been one of the major disappointments of this season.

So USC would be wise to stick with the run against its next two opponents, Arizona State and UCLA. Both teams are ranked in the top 20 defending the run, but these high rankings are deceptive.

Despite ranking 17th nationally in rush defense and yielding only 103.4 yards per contest, the Sun Devils haven’t played an incredibly difficult schedule. Oregon, by far their most worthy opponent, exposed the Sun Devils’ rushing defense for 200 yards and handed ASU its only loss of the season.

The Bruins are just behind the Ducks with the 18th-rated run defense, giving up just over 111 yards per game. But the same trend holds true. UCLA gave up 159 and 274 yards, respectively, in losses to Washington State and Arizona State.

Washington might have finally found his rhythm. The ball should be in his hands as the Trojans prepare to end the season in stride.

“We told each other we’ve got to finish,” Washington said after his breakout performance last week. “That’s our motto. Fourth quarter, we’ve got to finish.”

The Trojans are ready to carry the momentum from the Cal victory and translate it into the strong finish they have become so accustomed to during the Pete Carroll era. And that will all hinge on their ability to continue pounding the football on the ground.

Source: COMMENTARY: Running game is Trojans key to closing out season on high

Gary Klein Los Angeles Times

Everson Griffen won’t get much time to spend with his family before USC’s game against Arizona State next week, but he’s still looking forward to being home for the holiday.

The freshman defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., also cannot wait to play against his cousin, Sun Devils running back Keegan Herring.

“I get to talk a little mess to him,” Griffen said Wednesday.

Griffen, 19, arrived at USC as one of the Trojans’ most heralded recruits.

He got off to a rough start — teammates had to restrain him from coming to blows with junior end Kyle Moore during a training camp practice — and did not take advantage of his speed through the first half of the season.

But the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Griffen broke out with 3 1/2 sacks against Oregon State.

Now he is setting his sights on Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter. The Sun Devils have given up 43 sacks, second most in the nation.

But Griffen said he would also be looking to meet up with Herring, the son of his father’s sister. Herring has rushed for 775 yards and has scored five touchdowns for the ninth-ranked Sun Devils.

“He’s always talking about how he’s going to hurt us,” Griffen said. “Well, we’re going to the ‘Zona, we’re coming to the desert.”

Griffen could get extended playing time against the Sun Devils if Moore’s right hand does not improve.

Moore injured the radial nerve against Oregon State. He can move his fingers and clutch with them, but he cannot open his hand. He is scheduled to meet with doctors again Monday.

“They said it would come back but there’s no way of telling how long it will take,” said Moore, who was fitted Tuesday with a brace that resembles something out of the “Terminator” movies.

Moore intends to play against Arizona State.

“I’m going to have to wrap this up,” he said, looking at the brace. “It’s plastic so it can break.”

All-American tackle Sam Baker (hamstring) participated in more drills, and offensive line coach Pat Ruel said a decision regarding Baker’s availability against Arizona State would probably be made Sunday.

“It just depends on when they test it,” Ruel said. “If he’s 75% to 80%, we’ll wait. If he’s 95% to 100%, we’re good to go.”

Safety Taylor Mays did not practice because of a sore ankle that he said he hurt against Notre Dame. . . . Freshman Martin Coleman, who is redshirting after having shoulder surgery, has been participating in contact drills and working at right tackle and guard. “The hardest part is getting used to the quick pace,” he said. . . . Freshman running back Marc Tyler, who is redshirting, got extended work with the first-unit offense and had several impressive runs. . . .

With no scout team duties during the off week, receivers Damian Williams and freshman Brandon Carswell worked with the regulars and continued to show they will contend for playing time next season. . . . Coach Pete Carroll said coaches would be out recruiting after practice tonight and also Friday and Saturday. The Trojans return to practice Sunday.

Source: Trip will include some family time for Everson Griffen

Scott Wolf LA Daily News

USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel has received job offers from NFL teams the past two years, but Ruel said he intends to remain with the Trojans next year even if he is courted again by a pro team.

“What I really want is another championship. I want to be back in that atmosphere,” Ruel said. “It crushed me that we didn’t make it back last year.”

Ruel spent five years in the NFL before coming to USC in 2005.

“There’s always a pretty good opportunity we can get to (the BCS title game),” he said. “I don’t really see a reason to change.”

Broken wrist

Linebacker Kaluka Maiava discovered Wednesday he broke his wrist several weeks ago.

“It was broken for sure,” Maiava said. “They didn’t know all this time.”

In the spotlight

Freshman tailback Marc Tyler (Oaks Christian of Westlake Village) broke some runs in practice as the reserves get more playing time in the bye week.

“He looks like a classic tailback in the mold of Chauncey (Washington), he can do all the stuff,” Carroll said. “I don’t think we’ll split him out a lot although he did it in high school. I think he’ll weigh about 225 pounds.

“He’s real instinctive. It’s taken him awhile. He’s having fun and juiced up.”

Carroll noted freshman quarterback Aaron Corp looked stronger than he remembered and that Arkansas transfers Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams used their familiarity to their advantage.

“There’s no doubt they played together,” Carroll said. “Mitch counts on Damian at times.”

Freshman offensive tackle Martin Coleman also impressed the coaches during his second day of contact since returning from off-season shoulder surgery.

“Pat (Ruel) is excited about his foot quickness,” Carroll said.

Too many questions

Safety Taylor Mays received a cortisone shot Tuesday in his sprained ankle and wore a protective boot on his foot. But he took the boot off Wednesday because too many people inquired about his injury.

“I got asked all day, it was too much,” Mays said.

Mays originally sprained the ankle against Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, defensive end Kyle Moore received a special brace for his hand that allows him to grasp things. Moore bruised a nerve in his arm and was unable to close his hand.

“I don’t know what it means for the (Arizona State) game,” Carroll said.

Moore said he intends to play.

Source: USC assistant coach Ruel not planning to leave for NFL