Navy Falls to East Carolina as Skid Reaches 5

East Carolina's Dominique Davis set two NCAA records for consecutive completions, connecting on all 26 of his first-half throws to extend his streak to 36 straight over two games, and the Pirates squeezed past skidding Navy 38-35 on Saturday night.

It was the fifth straight defeat for the Midshipmen (2-5), their longest skid since 2002. Four of those five losses have come by a combined eight points.

This one wasn't decided until Navy's Jon Teague hit the right upright on a 42-yard field goal try as time expired. Seconds earlier, a leaping Matt Aiken had his hands on a potential touchdown pass, but lost his grip on the ball as he came down in the end zone.

"I'm speechless for these guys," Niumatalolo said. "This one is tough, it is hard. They all have been. It's hard on the guys. I want them to see some fruits of their labor."

The Midshipmen trailed 31-21 with 14:53 left before backup quarterback Trey Miller threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Turner and a 37-yard strike to Matt Aiken for a 35-31 lead with 7:51 to go.

Davis then moved East Carolina 77 yards in 15 plays, a drive that ended with Reggie Bullock's third TD of the game, a 1-yard run with 2:14 remaining.

But Navy wasn't done. Miller took the Midshipmen from their own 34 to the ECU 33 before the incompletion to Aiken, a play so close that Navy asked for a replay and still had questions after the call on the field was verified.

"I thought he broke the plane and went down with the ball," Niumatalolo said. "But that doesn't matter; they called what they called. We have to make that field goal."

Davis, a 6-foot-3 senior, broke the single-game record of 23 straight completions, set in 1998 by Tee Martin of Tennessee against South Carolina and tied in 2004 by Aaron Rodgers of California versus Southern California.

Davis completed his final 10 passes against Memphis last week, so his stunning first half against Navy gave him 36 completions in a row — breaking the NCAA mark of 26 set by Rodgers in 2004.

After going 26 for 26 for 251 yards before halftime, Davis' streak ended when he misfired on his first attempt in the third quarter. He finished 40 for 45 for 372 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Coming into the game, the Pirates led the nation with 23 turnovers. In this one, East Carolina (3-4) didn't give the ball away.

Bullock ran for 104 yards; Lance Lewis had nine catches for 80 yards and a touchdown; and Danny Webster had six receptions for 81 yards for East Carolina.

Many of Davis' 26 first-half completions were short flares, but nine of the those passes resulted in double-digit gains, including a 33-yarder to Webster and a 23-yarder to Andrew Bodenheimer.

Davis entered with a 68.5 percent completion percentage this season, and he has completed at least 30 passes in six of his last nine games. A junior college transfer, Davis threw for 3,967 yards and 37 TDs last season and completed 64.5 percent of his passes.

Navy starting quarterback Kris Proctor was knocked out of the game with a left elbow injury with 7:01 remaining in the second quarter. Proctor was hit in the pocket by Matt Milner, who was penalized for roughing the passer.

Miller came in and lost a fumble three plays later. Davis then orchestrated an eight-play drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Michael Bowman for a 14-7 lead.

After a Navy punt, Davis completed six straight passes around a 3-yard run by Bullock and Michael Barbour kicked a 35-yard field goal as the half ended. Barbour earlier missed field-goal tries of 43 and 32 yards.

Navy's Marcus Thomas took the second-half kickoff 90 yards to cut the gap to 17-14, but a 1-yard touchdown run by Bullock restored the 10-point cushion.

View the original article here

Shaw named South Carolina starter

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier promised changes to the offense after back-to-back unimpressive performances. On Monday, Spurrier took a much-needed step forward by benching struggling fifth-year senior quarterback Stephen Garcia for sophomore Connor Shaw.

This move probably comes a week too late, considering the Gamecocks' offense was a major reason for South Carolina's loss to Auburn at home over the weekend, but now that the move is here you probably won't hear many Gamecocks fans complain.

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

"As most everyone knows our quarterback play has not been as good as we hoped and we've got to do something," Spurrier said.

On the season, Garcia has passed for 844 yards with four touchdowns and nine interceptions. Six of those interceptions came in the past two games.

As for Shaw, he started the year as South Carolina's starter, but struggled in the opener. He was finally benched for Garcia after the Gamecocks trailed 17-0 to East Carolina. Garcia got his starting job back after rallying South Carolina for a 56-37 win against the Pirates.

Shaw has passed for 29 yards on 4-of-11 passing this season.

Now this is Shaw's team and Saturday is Shaw's chance to be the guy for the Gamecocks for the rest of the way.

"This is his game," Spurrier said.

View the original article here

South Carolina gets notice of allegations

It was more than a year ago that South Carolina received an official letter of inquiry from the NCAA.

On Monday came the second step in that process, one that could potentially lead to serious consequences for the Gamecocks. The university received a notice of allegations from the NCAA outlining alleged rules violations, stemming primarily from athletes being given reduced rates at the Whitney Hotel in Columbia.

The NCAA alleges that 12 student-athletes (10 football players and two women's track members) were provided an estimated $47,000 in improper benefits from the Whitney Hotel, where several football players lived last year before being forced to move elsewhere. Former tight end Weslye Saunders, who was dismissed from the team, was one of the players caught up in the Whitney Hotel case.

Also, the NCAA alleges that two South Carolina boosters working with the Student Athlete Mentoring (SAM) Foundation provided inducements and benefits totaling more than $8,000 to prospective student-athletes. Freshman receiver Damiere Byrd was a member of the SAM Foundation and is currently serving a four-game suspension. He was also required to pay back $2,700 in extra benefits.

Both of these situations are "considered to be potential major violations," according to the NCAA's letter, and the university was charged with failure to monitor in both cases.

South Carolina will have until Dec. 14 to respond to these charges and will likely have to appear before the Committee on Infractions next February in Los Angeles. There's a chance South Carolina will self-impose penalties. The university has already disassociated itself from two people as a result of these charges.

The other thing to note here is that South Carolina is still on the hook as a potential repeat offender because of violations that occurred under former coach Lou Holtz, a case that was decided in November 2005. The NCAA can hit a school with more severe penalties if that school is found to be a repeat violater.

“The University will review the notice and respond accordingly," South Carolina president Harris Pastides said in a statement. "I assure you that we will continue to take all aspects of this investigation very seriously. We are prepared to continue to work with the NCAA to resolve any issues."

View the original article here

DE Kampman Still Not Ready to Go; Won’t Play Sunday vs Carolina

The Jaguars will be without defensive end Aaron Kampman for at least another week.

Kampman is making progress in his return from knee surgery, but he’s still not ready to play and will miss Sunday’s game at Carolina. It will be the 17th game in which he has been sidelined during the last three seasons.

Kampman said “we’re making good ground, we’re definitely climbing” on his rehabilitation.

View the original article here

Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman: Maryland (8-4) vs. East Carolina (6-6)

East Carolina has made five straight bowl appearances but has only one win to show for its previous four. The Pirates face a big challenge against Maryland on Wednesday in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, especially considering they ended the season with losses in four of their last five games because their defense fell apart. Still, making a bowl game is a good accomplishment for first-year coach Ruffin McNeill, who inherited a team that returned just eight starters.

WHO TO WATCH: East Carolina quarterback Dominique Davis. He came in as a junior college transfer after playing his first season at Boston College and is one of the biggest reasons East Carolina is in a bowl game. His Hail Mary touchdown pass with no time left in the season-opener against Tulsa essentially put the Pirates in this game. He already has established new school single-season records for attempts (552), completions (358), passing yardage (3,699) and touchdown passes, 36) and ranks No. 1 in the country in completions per game and points responsible for per game; fourth in passing yards per game and total passing yards (3,699); and sixth in total offense per game. Davis has thrived in the spread option, even though he had to sit out spring practice.

WHAT TO WATCH: East Carolina's defense. OK, there has not been much to watch this season with a defense that has been a sieve, ranking last in the nation in total D. East Carolina has had to outscore people to win all season long, but with extra time to prepare, perhaps the Pirates will be up to the task. This is the same Pirates team that beat NC State this season and held the Wolfpack to 27 points. One of the biggest matchups to watch is Maryland receiver Torrey Smith against Pirates cornerbacks Emanuel Davis and Travis Simmons.

WHY TO WATCH: The chances for an offensive back-and-forth are great, and who doesn’t like a little bit of an offensive showdown every once in a while. The Pirates have had some heart-stopping wins this year – the Hail Mary victory aganist Tulsa and the overtime win against NC State, and a one-point win against Southern Miss. You can’t accuse the Pirates of being boring to watch.

PREDICTION: Maryland 45, East Carolina 40. The Pirates have given up 54.8 points per game in their past five and are going to have a tough time slowing the Terrapins down. Expect an inspired Maryland team to be playing for coach Ralph Friedgen, in his final game at Maryland.

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

View the original article here

Gridiron Gab Week Thirteen Preview: Carolina at Seattle

Eleven games into the season, Pete Carroll and his Seattle Seahawks find themselves owning a share of the lead in the NFC West standings. They also welcome in the Carolina Panthers – the National Football League’s worst team this season – for a Week 13 matchup at Qwest Field, yet the head coach isn’t sitting easy.

“It’s as tight as it can get,” said Carroll during his Wednesday press conference from the Seahawks’ Renton, Wash. training facilities of the state of the NFC West where the last place Arizona Cardinals at 3-8 are just two games out of a share of first place.

“Each game matters so much.”

Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued Seattle (5-6) as of late, a team that’s lost four of its last five games, but those same issues have wreaked havoc on Carolina (1-10).

Four quarterbacks have lined up under center so far for the Panthers and three of them have been sidelined to some extent. The team’s starter coming into the season, Matt Moore, is on Injured Reserve. Brian St. Pierre, brought in off the street two weeks ago, dealt with a sore arm after one start and rookie Jimmy Clausen is one game removed from a concussion.

“That would challenge anybody,” said Seattle’s head coach.

The running back position, too, hasn’t been able to sidestep the injury bug, yet Carolina’s current tandem of Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson were able to do something last week in Cleveland that hasn’t been done often this season by the team – collectively run for over 100 yards. In fact, the pair’s 151 combined rushing yards last Sunday were the team’s best total in 2010.

“He’s matured into this monster of a running back,” said Carroll of Stewart whose University of Oregon team played Carroll’s University of Southern California squad while the two called the Pac-10 home.

“But the other kid, Michael Goodson, is a guy that – man – he was on my radar. I’ve known this kid for a long time. I knew him as he was growing up through high school and he was one of the top, if not the top guy we were recruiting at the time, so for him to be such an explosive running back doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

While Carolina is coming off its best rushing performance, Seattle isn’t. Headlined by Marshawn Lynch’s team-leading seven carries, the Seahawks managed just 20 rushing yards as a unit.

“I’m really, I’m so uncomfortable with the fact that we’re not running the football in a better fashion and I’ve said to you [reporters] weeks and weeks that ‘we’re going to get better, we’re going to improve,’ and we have – you know – we still have been in this mode of flux and we have not got it to the point where we need to get it,” said Carroll.

Part of the reason for that is the way Seattle’s lost four of their last five games. With an average final deficit of just over 24 points, the Seahawks haven’t had the luxury of developing a ground attack.

A more even mix might be the key to a Seattle victory Sunday over visiting Carolina because Mike Williams, the team’s top aerial threat with 52 receptions for 654 yards and a touchdown, isn’t expected to take the field.

“There’s a presence that a big receiver gives ya,” said Carroll. “You can just throw the ball at ‘em whenever you need to and they’ll likely make a play for you and that, that’s not existent in – you know – guys that aren’t 6-5.”

Kickoff at Qwest Field for Sunday’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks is set for 4:15 p.m. Eastern.

Can’t get enough SeahawksGab? Follow Editor Devon Heinen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

View the original article here

Roles reversed for Clemson, South Carolina

This isn’t the South Carolina that Clemson has grown accustomed to.

These Gamecocks (8-3) have reached a new level. They’re the SEC East champs for the first time in school history. They’re No. 3 in the country with a school-record 36 sacks. And they’re finally good enough to string together two wins over Clemson for the first time since winning three straight from 1968-70.

[+] Enlarge AP Photo/ Richard ShiroStephen Garcia, right, led the Gamecocks to a 34-17 victory over C.J. Spiller and the Tigers last season.The roles are reversed this year heading into Saturday’s rivalry game in Death Valley. That doesn’t mean too much, though. With Clemson -- one of the most baffling programs in the country -- you never know what to expect. Last year, South Carolina entered the game unranked, on a three-game losing streak and with only six wins. The Tigers were ranked No. 18, Atlantic Division champs, and had won six straight games.

Didn’t matter. Never does. Clemson fumbled and flopped, losing 34-17.

This year, the Tigers have been inconsistent on offense and won with one of the country’s best defenses. If they’re going to pull off an upset on Saturday, that’s the formula they’ll need again.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney didn’t have to watch much film of South Carolina to recognize the biggest difference in the Gamecocks’ success this year.

“No. 21, Marcus Lattimore,” Swinney said. “He wasn't there last year. He's a very, very good player. He's got 19 touchdowns, rushed for over 1,000 yards. That's been the difference in their football team.”

Lattimore set the school record for single-season touchdowns in the 69-24 undoing of Troy, scoring three times to run his total to 19 for the season, breaking Harold Green’s mark of 16 set in 1987. He needs just one more to tie Tennessee’s Reggie Cobb (1987) for the SEC freshman scoring record.

Lattimore, though, isn’t the only problem for Clemson’s defense. Sophomore receiver Alshon Jeffery broke the school record for single-season receiving yards in Saturday’s win over Troy, surpassing a 1,143-yard season by Sidney Rice in 2005. It’s the first time South Carolina has had a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.

“We live and die with our guys up front,” Swinney said. “That's where we build our defense. Those guys have played very good. We've had to play some other good offenses. I do think this is the best one we'll have played yet as far as when we played them and most efficient.

“But they present a big challenge. But it still comes down to being able to block, tackle and get off blocks. So if our guys up front will play well and do a good job of minimizing the effectiveness of their running back, then I think that gives us certainly a better chance to win the game. If they can stay balanced, that makes for a long day.”

And an even longer offseason.

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

View the original article here