Tag Archives: football

Coyote Corner again

I had the chance to be on Coyote Corner for the second time this season with Jay Elsen on Midco Sports. I always enjoy being on the show and any chance to talk about sports. This week was a little different with a tough season right now for the Coyotes, but we made it through and Jay always does a fine job as the host. Also in the show Jay will preview the matchup with FCS No. 1 North Dakota State and Alex Heinert has a feature on a couple of players who have bounced back from injury.

Big thanks to Jay for asking me to be on the show again, Alex for his work as the producer of the show and Toby who is behind the scenes making sure everything is on time.

Check out this week’s episode of Coyote Corner:

Yankton homecoming moved four hours away

There has been a lot of conversation and, naturally, a lot of disappointment for Yankton fans over the last two days after we learned the suspended game between Yankton and Aberdeen Central will now be played in Aberdeen. Yes, Yankton’s homecoming game. How does this happen?

Let’s start with Friday, September 19th. Yankton enters the game 3-0 and Aberdeen Central is 2-1, with both teams knowing this is a huge game for them. And both play like it. The game goes back and forth and just before halftime Yankton gave the ball back to the Golden Eagles. Aberdeen Central moves down the field and scores with 13 seconds left in the half. On the ensuing kickoff Yankton nearly answered with a kickoff return into Aberdeen Central territory with just five seconds left. I was in favor of giving the kicker, Brady Hale, a chance at a field goal, but if I remember correctly it would have been about a 62 yard field goal. That’s a long shot, obviously, but the kid has a cannon for a leg. The half ends with Yankton trailing 20-17. Continue reading →

Taylor Martinez needs to silence critics. Can he?

Martinez has run himself to success in the past. Can he save the Huskers season with his legs? (Photo Courtesy: Husker Locker)

There was a time when Husker fans were excited for Taylor Martinez. As a freshman he could do no wrong as his name circulated in the Heisman-hyped carousel. He slashed opponent defenses and ran Nebraska to an unbeaten record and a No. 5 ranking. Then Texas came to Lincoln. The one game Nebraska fans had been waiting for all season. In the game Martinez mustered just 21 yards on 13 carries and completed just four of his 12 pass attempts in the game. He put the ball on the ground twice, although neither fumble was lost. Continue reading →

The road back to relevance…

Doane College football was once relevant. It competed for conference championships, was ranked in national polls and even made it to the playoffs. Since 2003, the Tigers haven’t been ranked, not even close, until today. The NAIA announced its weekly top 25 poll this afternoon and Doane sat at No. 21. This is the first ranking in the national poll for the Tigers since the September 9, 2003 poll that had Doane at No. 23. Continue reading →

Coach in waiting no more…

University of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will be the next head coach of the Florida Gators. A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday to introduce the Gainesville native as head coach. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: MidAmerica Nazarene vs Sioux Falls

Pregame - 12:45 CT, Kickoff - 1:00 CT on VSN

The NAIA football season is coming to a close, quickly. With just two games on the docket this weekend, the ending light is beginning to beam through the end of the tunnel. Saturday evening two teams will be making plans to visit Rome, Georgia and play for a National Championship. It’s no real surprise the top four teams entering the postseason are the four teams still remaining. All four teams remain unbeaten heading into this weekend. Carroll will attempt to hold down an explosive Saint Xavier offense that is averaging 51 points per game. Sioux Falls has kept its three-peat hopes alive under first-year head coach, Jed Stugart. Continue reading →

This week is a test, for you, Husker fans

For as long as I can remember the fans in Lincoln, Nebraska have been known as some of the greatest fans in the country. They welcome outsiders to Lincoln to enjoy a football game. They follow the Huskers on the road filled with passion and knowledge about the game of football. Many sportswriters have come to Nebraska and left writing stories about their positive experience. They have written that there is no better college football atmosphere. They have written that fans are the nation’s best. And most importantly, they have acknowledged that there truly is ‘No Place Like Nebraska’. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: MidAmerica Nazarene vs Morningside

HOLY DEFENSE, BATMAN! Two of the nation’s top defenses will meet on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Championship Series. Both defenses have been ranked in the top five all season in the “Scoring Defense/Game” and “Total Defense/Game” categories. Morningside dominated Dickinson State in the first round while MNU needed all 60 minutes to top Georgetown College. The Pioneers have played pretty good football at home and may have had a wakeup call against the Tigers. Can either of these two offenses muster up much production in this game or could this one come down to special teams? Continue reading →

Mid-States Football Association Preview – Quarterfinals

Saint Francis upset No. 5 Lindenwood in the First Round. Now the Cougars will try to avenge a regular season loss at No. 3 Saint Xavier.

The quarterfinal round of the NAIA Championship Series has been announced by the NAIA National Office in Kansas City. All four MSFA teams picked up a victory in the first round and will play in three of the four games next Saturday. The only game not involving a MSFA team will be in Olathe, KS where Morningside will meet MidAmerica Nazarene. One game, Saint Francis vs Saint Xavier is a rematch from a couple of weeks ago that decided the MSFA Mideast League title. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: McKendree vs McPherson

Pregame: 1:45 CT Kickoff: 2:00 CT (click to watch the game)

McPherson will host McKendree in the Victory Sports Network Game of the Week this Saturday in McPherson, Kan. McPherson enters the game with an unblemished record, while McKendree has two losses this season. The Bearcats were blown out by Marian (Ind.) earlier this season before losing a close one on the road at Saint Francis (Ill.). In the end McKendree claimed its seventh league title and enters the postseason for the ninth time. McPherson is into the postseason for the second time in school history. The first was last season, a 40-24 setback at MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). The Bulldogs are in search of their first-ever postseason victory. McPherson and McKendree are set to meet for the first time in the two programs history. Continue reading →

MSFA Preview – Postseason Edition (Round 1)

Four teams from the Mid-States Football Association will play Saturday in the NAIA Championship Series. Saint Xavier will play at home, while Saint Francis (Ind.), McKendree (Ill.) and Marian (Ind.) will be in the road in the first round. William Penn was left out of the postseason despite one loss on the year. Nonetheless, there are four teams that will represent the MSFA in the postseason. Continue reading →

UC in, WPU out….NAIA voters got it wrong

William Penn University (Iowa) will be sitting at home this postseason with one loss, while two teams get the nod with three losses.

With the announcement of the NAIA Championship Series qualifiers there are teams excited to play next week, while others may feel they got snubbed. I am not one that will spend a lot of time saying the NAIA gets things wrong, but Sunday the voters got something wrong. I feel very confident behind my reasoning, but I can also understand why the NAIA voters did what it did.

Arguments will be made for Northwestern (Iowa) and Missouri Valley on why their season should continue on Saturday. The one team that has a legit argument to be in that was left out is William Penn (Iowa). The Statesmen finished the season 10-1 and will be sitting at home while six teams will be playing next weekend with two or more losses. The question came down to the final spot, would it be 10-1 William Penn or would 7-3 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) make the necessary six spot jump to claim the final spot.

Let’s look at both of these teams. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: Northwestern Oklahoma State vs Southern Oregon

Northwestern Oklahoma State University can solidify its spot in the NAIA Championship Series with a win on Saturday

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a win away from guaranteeing itself a spot in the NAIA Championship Series. A loss could still allow NWOSU into postseason play, but a win will guarantee it. Southern Oregon doesn’t have the same hopes for this game. They can play spoiler and end the season on a high note. SOU began the season with two wins, but ran into a buzz saw and the Raiders find themselves 3-6 on the season. NWOSU began 0-2, but has reeled off seven straight to win the Central States Football League.

Last season Langston was the CSFL Champion. The Lions had to close the season at Azusa Pacific, an Independent similar to Southern Oregon. The Lions lost the game and it nearly cost them a position in the postseason. NWOSU doesn’t want that to happen and leave their postseason hopes in the hands of the voters. Continue reading →

Mid-States Football Association Preview – Nov. 13

William Penn is one of three teams that could be Mid-States Football Association Midwest League champions at the end of the day on Saturday

‘Tis the season. The Championship season that is. The NAIA Championship Series will officially kick off next week, but for some teams the postseason is now. Four games this week in the MSFA will decide postseason hopes for six of the teams involved. For most of these games it is pretty cut and dry – win you’re in, lose you’re done. While there will be a lot of question marks entering this weekend, one thing is for sure – It’s do or die week in the NAIA!

The season will end after this week for… Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: MidAmerica Nazarene vs Missouri Valley

The Victory Sports Network splits this week to cover two games that have postseason and conference championship implications written all over them. MidAmerica Nazarene hosts Missouri Valley in one of the top ten battles this week. The Pioneers defeated Lindenwood earlier this season and are in the driver’s seat to win the Heart of America Athletic Conference. One scenario is pretty simple; if the Pioneers win they are conference champions. If Missouri Valley is victorious in this game and the Vikings and Lions win out there would be a three way tie at the top of the conference. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: Saint Xavier vs Saint Francis (Ind.)

Is there anything better than an early November afternoon with a football game that two teams have so much to play for? This is the time of year that really makes football what it is. Saint Xavier against Saint Francis. For a long time the Cougars from the East dominated the conference and were known as the national power. Recently it has been somewhat of a struggle in Fort Wayne and the Cougars to the West have taken over “big dog” status. This game Saturday, however, could reverse the roles. There is a lot of talent on the side of the red and silver, but when rivals meet and are playing for so much there is no telling what might happen. Continue reading →

Game of the Week Preview: Southern Virginia at Lindsey Wilson

Due to the lack of history for Lindsey Wilson and the youth of players on the team,
“Thayer’s Thoughts” will not be offering a position-by-position breakdown of this week’s game of the week. However, we will take a look at the matchup and get an overview of the game. You can also watch for the Special, mystery position-by-position breakdown that will take the place of this week’s. Continue reading →

VSN Game of the Week Preview: Baker vs Ottawa (VSN First Down Classic)

When you think of a rivalry, there are a number of matchups that come to mind. They range anywhere from the Yankees/Red Sox to Cowboys/Eagles to Texas/Oklahoma and many others. Most rivalries, when asked, come to mind because you have heard of it recently. What about a rivalry that disappears but still remains one of the best long standing rivalries? Continue reading →

Conference Realignment Winners/Losers

The move of Nebraska to the Big Ten Conference has sparked conversation and controversy all over the college football world. Bloggers, tweeters, facebookers, analysts and reporters are all reporting what “sources” say. While the NBA finals are trying to wrap up and college baseball teams try to validate their ticket to Omaha, many eyes have turned to college football. We don’t need to mention the seasons begin in August and this is June. No matter what changes happen, there are always winners and losers. If the college football changes end today here are the top five winners and losers. Continue reading →

The life of an offical….it’s a love/hate thing…

Last night, June 2, I was umpiring a baseball game. I watched two poorly played baseball games and saw one young man (the pitcher) take a line drive off the side of the head that left him hospitalized. It happened in the second inning of the game and there was never a good feeling the rest of the night. I told one of the coaches I would rather be anywhere else than on that field. Continue reading →