Author: Sports Radio Service

KZ Okpala honored with Hank Luisetti MVP Award at Stanford men’s basketball banquet

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Photo credit: gostanford.com

By: Ana Kieu

KZ Okpala captured the Hank Luisetti Most Valuable Player Award, as the Stanford Cardinal men’s basketball team celebrated the 2018-19 season at its awards banquet at Bing Concert Hall Monday.

The Cardinal highlighted the accomplishments of Josh Sharma and recognized the overall achievements of a roster that featured 11 of 15 student-athletes in their first or second year. Anne & Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball Jerod Haase thanked both Sharma and senior manager Ryan Cole for their outstanding efforts throughout their respective Cardinal careers. Haase also expressed his enthusiasm for a promising future with an experienced roster back on The Farm for 2019-20.

Okpala, a First Team All-Pac-12 selection, First Team USBWA All-District pick and a Second Team NABC All-District selection this past season, took home the Hank Luisetti MVP Award. He averaged a team-best 16.8 PPG to go along with 5.7 RPG and a SPG. He finished fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring with the second-most 20-point games (15) in the conference. He also ranked 16th in the conference in rebounding and 12th in defensive rebounding (4.5 DRPG). During the Pac-12 regular season, he finished fifth in the conference in scoring (17.5 PPG).

Sharma and Oscar da Silva were each the recipient of the Howie Dallmar Coach’s Award.

Sharma was recognized following a standout senior season on The Farm. He was a candidate for the Pac-12’s Most Improved Player Award and established a school record for field goal percentage in a season. His mark of .673 was not only a program record, it was the eighth-best field goal percentage in a season in Pac-12 history. He completed his standout career eighth on Stanford’s field goal percentage list, shooting .563 for his career. He was an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention selection, after finishing the year as the conference’s field goal percentage leader and ranking in the top-10 in the league in offensive rebounds (3rd, 2.6 ORPG), blocks (7th, 1.4 BPG) and rebounds (9th, 7.1 RPG). He averaged 11.3 PPG and 8.2 RPG during Pac-12 play, posting double-doubles in five of his final seven games. He averaged 14.7 PPG and 11.1 RPG over those final seven contests. He was selected to play in the NABC College All-Star Game at the Final Four, which featured the top seniors in the nation.

da Silva was recognized for the second consecutive season. He was the lone Cardinal to start all 31 games. He averaged 9.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG. He averaged 28.3 MPG and finished second on the team in blocks with 40 on the season. He finished the season ranked eighth in the Pac-12 in blocks (1.3 BPG) and 13th in rebounding. He registered four 20-point games on the year, posting a career-best 23 points against both San Jose State and Oregon State. He recorded three double-doubles for the season.

Rodney Herenton was the recipient of the Peter Sauer Most Inspirational Award. Named in honor of the late Peter Sauer, who was the inspirational leader and captain of the 1998 Final Four Team, the award recognizes an individual who embodies the same qualities as Sauer did — enthusiasm, leadership and courage, which serves as an inspiration to the team. He has been a constant voice of encouragement and inspiration as a true representative of the Invested, Tough and Selfless pillars. He played in six games, highlighted by four points in four minutes of action in the win over Washington State in February. He has represented the program globally, earning a selection to the prestigious Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program. He traveled to India, where he served as a mentor and teacher for English, math and athletics to children. Commanding the utmost respect of his teammates, he has exemplified the exceptional character and charisma that helps define the Peter Sauer Most Inspirational Award.

Bryce Wills captured the Roy Young Toughness Award, recognizing the individual who was a leader in floor burns for the season. Originally created at Kansas in honor of Haase, the floor burns stat was adopted by Stanford when Haase was hired as head coach. Floor burns recognizes individuals for diving for loose balls, taking charges and making the extra effort to help their team win. He collected 48 floor burns and was recognized for giving the extra effort on both ends of the floor, highlighted by scoring performances down the stretch to win games and blocks on the defensive end to help seal victories. He became a regular starter as a freshman. He averaged 7.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.2 APG from the guard spot, scoring in double figures in seven Pac-12 games. He also recorded multiple steals in five games, including four in the win over Middle Tennessee in the Battle 4 Atlantis. He scored four of his 11 points in the final 14 seconds, including the go-ahead basket in the 79-76 come-from-behind win over USC in February.

The banquet concluded with speeches by Sharma and Cole, who both shared their gratitude to everyone involved in the team.

A’s bombing away to team record

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, April 15, 2019

In the age of the all-or-nothing approach to hitting, the Oakland Athletics are early season beneficiaries so far in 2019.

The Swingin’ A’s have been exactly that of late, setting a franchise record with their seventh consecutive multi-homer game despite losing an 8-7 decision to Texas on Sunday. Stephen Piscotty and Matt Chapman homered for Oakland in the record-setting contest.

Within this streak, the A’s also hit five home runs in back-to-back games at Baltimore — the second time that’s happened in franchise history. Oakland has also hit a total of 21 homers during the streak. That’s more than 19 other clubs have hit so far this season.

Breaking it down further, Oakland has hit 14 home runs in their last four games. That’s more than the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates have each hit all season.

The biggest bopper has been Khris Davis, who hit five of the A’s 14 homers.

When things like this happen early, it’s always fun to project how this would play out over the course of a season. It’s been calculated that if the A’s maintain this pace, they’ll hit 307 round-trippers, which would obliterate the MLB mark of 267 hit by the New York Yankees last season.

A couple more notes on this: Davis leads MLB with 10 home runs, more than the Tigers as a team, and he’s also tied with Colorado. And, the A’s are second as a team so far; Seattle leads MLB with 39 homers.

The Houston Astros visit the Coliseum for a two-game set on Tuesday and Wednesday. Collin McHugh (2-2) will start for the Astros on Tuesday night, facing Marco Estrada (0-2).

It’s Jackie Robinson Day, so the all players, coaches, umpires and on-field personnel will wear No. 42. It’s also Free Parking Tuesday.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giant hitters really kept off balance by Rockies’ Marquez

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On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 German Marquez, the Colorado Rockies starter, went through the San Francisco Giants lineup like butter on Sunday, throwing a one hitter in a 4-0 win. Giants third baseman Evan Longoria hit one just past Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for the Giants’ only hit of the game.

#2 Marquez pitched a gem, going nine innings, giving up one hit, hitting a batter, striking out nine and going one over the minimum.

#3 The win was Colorado’s fourth win of the season (4-12) and it snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Rox.

#4 It was a tough loss Sunday for San Francisco, but Giant pitcher Derek Holland had a good outing, going six innings, four runs and four hits, walking four and striking out six batters.

#5 The Giants have the day off Monday. They will travel to Washington to face the Nationals. Morris talks about how they’ll match up with the Nats starting on Tuesday. It’ll be Derek Rodriguez (1-2, 4.15 ERA) for the Giants vs. the Nats Stephen Strausburg (1-0, 5.40 ERA) for Tuesday night.

Join Morris for the Giants day off report and podcast from the Diplomat Steakhouse in downtown Sacramento on Monday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marquez throws one-hitter in Rockies’ 4-0 win over Giants

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — German Marquez came within five outs of baseball immortality for the Colorado Rockies in the series finale.

Marquez was throwing a no-hitter, but Evan Longoria broke it up, when his ground ball was just out of the reach of Nolan Arenado at third base and the Rockies defeated 4-0 the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 35,513 at Oracle Park.

The loss broke an eight-game losing streak for the Rockies, who now head to San Diego with a record of 4-12.

In all, Marquez went nine innings, allowing just that one hit, a hit batter and nine strikeouts and faced one over the minimum.

Arenado finally got on the home run scoreboard, as he launched a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning.

It was the first home run for Arenado of the season after 15 games were played by the Rockies on the season.

Despite taking the loss, Derek Holland was productive, as he went six innings, allowing four runs, while scattering four hits, walking four and striking out six; however, he lost for the second time this season versus just one win.

Arenado scored the first Rockies run of the game, as he walked against the Holland with two outs and then scored the only run that the Rockies would need, as he scored on a Trevor Story double.

The sixth inning proved to be the downfall for Holland, as he gave up back-to-back singles to Charlie Blackmon and Garrett Hampson and then Arenado launched his first home run of the deep into the left field bleachers.

Kevin Pillar was the Giants first runner of the game, as he was hit by a pitch when he led off the bottom of the sixth.

Once again, the Giants was fantastic, as they worked three scoreless innings in relief of Holland and have not allowed a run in their last 20.0 innings. On the season, the Giants bullpen is posting an earned run average of just 1.77.

NOTES: This was the Rockies longest losing streak since they lost eight in a row since June 21-28, 2017.

The Arenado home run was his 25th career home run against the Giants in his career, moving within one of the active lead and the lead is currently held by Matt Kemp. Eleven of the 25 home runs have been hit at Oracle Park, tying him for the active lead by an opponent, with Paul Goldschmidt.

UP NEXT: Following an off-day on Monday, the Giants begin a three-city, 10-day and eight-game road trip against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Then it is onto Pittsburgh for a three-game series, and then a two-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Dereck Rodriguez will take the mound in the opener for the Giants, while the Nationals will send Stephen Strasburg to the mound on Tuesday night.

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s-Rangers back to it today after Saturday rain out

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 The A’s and Texas Rangers were rained out on Saturday night in Arlington. The A’s, who are in dire need of rest, had their first day off since March 27th, a day before opening day in Tokyo.

#2 The A’s came into Texas with a four-game win streak — three wins against the Orioles in Baltimore and one to open the series last Friday in Texas.

#3 Edwin Jackson is back with the A’s. He was with the team last season when he went 6-3 and a 3.33 ERA. One of the reason Jackson is back is that he’s an important clubhouse player and manager Bob Melvin said he has an impact in the clubhouse.

#4 Jackson keeps the clubhouse loose and has great leadership skills that Melvin likes. Jackson has also recovered from his injuries pretty quickly and is able to help the club.

#5 The A’s slugger Khris Davis is leading the majors with 10 home runs. He’s been a hitting machine at the plate this year for the A’s.

Joey Friedman does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Daniel Dullum: Knights host Sharks for game 3; Could CBJs pull it off?; plus more

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Daniel:

1 Sharks, Knights tied 1-1, headed to Las Vegas for games 3 & 4

2 Blue Jackets, 2nd Wild Card in the East, stun 1-seed Lightning in first two games

3 Leafs’ Nazem Kadri likely facing suspension after cross-check on Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk

4 Lightning star Nikita Kucherov gets one-game suspension for boarding call against Blue Jackets

5 Oilers star McDavid won’t need surgery on injured knee

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Daniel Dullum is heard each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Eagles down Barracuda 3-2 in season finale

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

With nothing on the line to play for, San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer rested the majority of his starters and let a rookie make his professional debut in net. The result was a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles in the season finale on Saturday evening at Budweiser Events Center.

The playoffs are now set as the Cuda will open at home as the second seed against the San Diego Gulls, the number three seed. With the win, the Eagles, combined with the loss of the Tuscon Roadrunners, were able to catapult their way to the fourth and final seed in the Pacific Division in their first season in the AHL. They faceoff against the Pacific Division champion Bakersfield Condors.

Colorado (36-27-4-1) drew first blood in the opening period. Martin Kaut opened up the scoring as he poked the puck over the goal line after Cuda goalie Andrew Shortridge (0-1-0), making his first pro start and debut for San Jose, looked to have secured the initial point shot by David Warsofsky. It was Kaut’s 12th goal of the season at the 14:07 mark.

San Jose (39-22-3-4) outshot Colorado 13-to-11 in the first, but the game would remain at a 1-0 lead for Colorado heading into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Cuda went on their only power-play of the game, but failed to get the equalizer. San Jose generated chance after chance, but Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (27-17-3) stood his ground and kept San Jose off the scoreboard for the first 40 minutes.

Dominic Toninato doubled the lead for Colorado as he cleaned up a rebound from a shot by Nick Meloce from the right point for his 14th goal of the season at the 4:34 mark of the third period.

The Eagles extended its lead to 3-0 when they were able to keep the puck inside the Cuda

zone after a brilliant glove save by Shortridge on Michael Joly. Logan O Connor fired home a one-timer from along the left-wing for his 19th goal of the season at the 13:22 mark.

San Jose finally got on the scoreboard late in the final period when Matt Fonteyne threaded a pass over to Evan Weinger who was ale tip the puck past Francouz for his 11th goal of the season the 16:15 mark.

The Cuda would pull Shortridge for an extra attacker in the final minutes. Alex True, who led all players in goals during the regular season, jammed in a rebound past Francouz for his 24th goal of the season with just 1.3 seconds remaining in regulation, but it was too little, too late.

Francouz earned the win and snapped a two-game skid by stopping 30 of 32 shots. Shortridge fared well in his first-ever start, stopping 33 of the 36 shots he faced.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Colorado was 0/1.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda will open the first round of the playoffs in San Diego on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm at Pachenga Arena in San Diego.

San Jose Barracuda vs. San Diego Gulls First Round Schedule
Game 1 – Wednesday, April 17 at San Diego at 7 pm
Game 2 – Thursday, April 18 at San Diego at 7 pm
Game 3 – Monday, April 22 at San Jose at 7 pm
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 24 at San Jose at 7 pm (if necessary)
Game 5 – Thursday, April 25 at San Jose at 7pm (if necessary)

Warriors cruise past Clippers 121-104 in Game 1; Curry passes Allen for most career threes

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By: Ana Kieu

The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers kicked off their first-round series. Game 1 was at Oracle Arena on Saturday night.

The Warriors’ starters were Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins.

The Oracle was Roaracle due to the loud cheers and chants from Dub Nation. The game went underway and Cousins scored the first bucket of the NBA playoffs at the 10:45 mark of the first quarter after trailing 3-0 at first. Durant dropped back-to-back dimes with 8:45 left in the first. Cousins continued shooting his shots and then Green contributed his shots. Green was a perfect 5-5 in field goals. The Warriors led 36-27 at the end of the first.

The Warriors turned offense into art in the second quarter. Curry played beautiful basketball. Durant scored a bucket, and with that bucket, Durant (3,665) passed Dirk Nowitzki (3,663) for 15th place on the NBA all-time career playoffs points scored list. Check out the bucket below.

Andre Iguodala threw it down late in the second, and the Warriors took a 69-56 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The Warriors gave a shoutout to Kaiser Permamente for providing Dub Nation with customized Gold and Royal Blue playoff shirts.

The Warriors returned to action in the third quarter. Curry got the crowd pumping with his three-pointers, some of which were long distance threes. Aside from Curry, who passed Ray Allen for most career threes, the Warriors turned defense into offense as Iguodala forced a turnover and threw down a dunk that could’ve broke the rim.

Curry proceeded to shoot threes in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors blew out the Clippers 121-104 for a 1-0 series lead. The Clippers are down 0-1.

Curry led the Warriors with 38 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Durant had 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Draymond Green had 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal. Klay Thompson had 12 points, two assists, two blocks, one rebound and one steal. DeMarcus Cousins had nine points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Andre Iguodala had eight points, seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals. Kevon Looney had six points, five rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. Andrew Bogut had three points, one rebound, one assist and one block. Alfonzo McKinnie had three points and one block. Quinn Cook had two points, one rebounds and one steal.

The Warriors and Clippers face off in Game 2 on Monday night at 7:30 pm PT. The game will be broadcast on NSBA, TNT and FSPT.

Bumgarner’s strong performance helps lead Giants to 5-2 victory over Rockies

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Photo credit: @KleinschmidtJD

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After going thru their entire bullpen on Friday night, the last thing Bruce Bochy wanted was a short start from Madison Bumgarner.

Well, Bumgarner did not disappoint his manager, as he went seven innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, walking no and striking out seven and the San Francisco Giants clinched their first series win of the 2019 season with a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies before a crowd of 32,607 at Oracle Park.

The Rockies have lost eight in a row and 12 out of their last 13. The 3-12 start by the Rockies is the worst start thru 15 games.

The Giants got on the board courtesy of the hottest player on the team, as Kevin Pillar hit a sacrifice fly that scored Gerardo Parra, after he led off the third inning with a double off of Kyle Freeland.

Buster Posey then lengthened the lead up to 2-0, as he doubled to right field that scored Steven Duggar from third base.

The Posey double was the 250th of his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time San Francisco Giants list, trailing Barry Bonds, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.

When Duggar crossed the plate to give the Giants a 2-0 lead, it was the first run batted in of the season for Posey.

Pillar then his fourth home run of the season, a solo blast with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Rockies began to chip away at the Giants lead in the top of the sixth inning, as Garrett Hampson doubled and went to third on a Parra throwing error that allowed Charlie Blackmon to score from first base. Blackmon reached on a fielders choice that erased Chris Iannetta, who singled and put a stop to a streak that saw him strike out in his previous five plate appearances.

Mark Reynolds cut the Giants lead down to one in the top of the seventh inning, as Reynolds hit his second home run of the season.

Kyle Freeland went five innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking just one and striking out five and saw his record fall to 1-3 on the young season.

Pablo Sandoval picked up his sixth double of the season, and his six doubles are the third-most in the National League. During the 2018 season, Sandoval had just 10 doubles.

Bumgarner gave up a leadoff double to Iannetta in the top of the eighth inning, and that would be all for Bumgarner, as Reyes Moronta came on to replace the left-hander. Moronta got the Giants out of the jam, as he struck out Raimel Tapia, Blackmon and Hampson to end the threat and the inning.

Moronta has struck out 13 out of the last 31 batters faced.

Sam Dyson pitched a perfect ninth inning, as he picked up his first save of the season. It was the first save for Dyson since June 26, 2018, also against the Rockies.

NOTES: Erik Kratz became the first player to catch at least 18 innings and get the game-winning RBI in the same game since Bob Boone did it for the California Angels against the Seattle Mariners on April 13, 1982, this according to Stats, LLC.

The last time that the Giants won a game that lasted 18 innings or more was on June 11, 1985, when the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-4 at Fulton County Stadium. Bob Brenly came up with the game-winning hit, while Duane Kuiper picked up a sacrifice bunt in the 11th inning and Mike Krukow started the game and went 5.0 innings, allowing four runs and five hits.

As for the last time that the Giants walked off a game that lasted 18 innings or more came on July 2, 1933, when the New York Giants shutout the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 on a hit by Hughie Critz. Giants Hall of Fame Pitcher Carl Hubbell threw a complete game shutout, as he went all 18.0 innings.

UP NEXT: Derek Holland goes to the mound, as the Giants look for the four-game sweep and end the home stand with a 6-4 mark, while the Rockies will send German Marquez to the mound.

San Jose State football concludes pre-Easter festivities with spring game

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Spartan Nation had a lot to look forward to Saturday as the San Jose State football team hosted a long list of pre-Easter festivities at CEFCU Stadium. The list began with a helmet and jersey sale at 11:00 am, a town hall meeting and youth football camp at 12:00 pm, a family fun zone at 12:30 pm, an Easter egg hunt at 1:15 pm, a brew fest at 1:30 pm, and alas, a spring game!

SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said: “It was just a really awesome day.”

The spring game was broken down into 10 segments with two breaks.

The first segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. Running back Tyler Nevens displayed his durability in his position and was a part of the Spartans’ offensive attack. Nevens rushed for a good amount of yards.

The second segment featured the second offense versus the first defense. A notable moment was when a deep pass was thrown through the air. The lucky fans in attendance who texted “C” for a deep pass won $100 gift cards to use at the SJSU bookstore.

The third segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. The Spartans offense was fired up and scored some touchdowns and field goals.

Brennan said: “The team put it in a lot of hard work and effort. Let’s hope they’ll keep this streak up.”

After the first break, there was the fourth segment, which displayed the second offense versus the first defense.

SJSU quarterback Josh Love said: “I feel really confident after all the work I’ve put in in the offseason as it helped me get comfortable with myself.”

The fifth segment was a little different as the third offense took on the third defense. Still, it was good all-around for both teams on the field.

Brennan said: “I thought the defense was lights out. It seemed like it was a little bit hotter today, but I thought they had some big hits and put some pressure on the quarterback. They all made plays.”

The sixth segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. The offense continued to put in the work with running and rushing plays. The defense made quite a few defensive stops, which was a positive thing.

SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum said: “We’re working on a lot of things in practices. We’re going to start with our install a lot further down the line than we’ve ever had in the past, so that was really good, and if we could just polish up on a few things, we’ll be fine. I was excited to see the guys buying in and doing stuff.”

After the second break, there was the seventh segment, which displayed the second offense versus the first offense.

The eighth segment featured the first offense versus the second offense. Both offenses put on an offensive show and looked fairly promising to the offensive coaches on the coaching staff.

The ninth segment featured the second offense versus the first defense. Again, both teams appeared to be locked in like they were in previous segments.

SJSU safety prospect Tre Webb said: “I just have to work on knowing everything. I got to read the playbook inside and out. I have to be better — not only for myself, but also for the people around me.”

Finally, the 10th segment showcased the third offense versus the third defense. There was a Spartans touchdown late the game, which was like the cherry on top. Chance LaChappelle made a pass to Lenard, Jr. to close out the game. The defense edged the offense 26-24.

When asked how he’d characterize the Spartans’ defense so far, SJSU safety Jonathan Lenard, Jr. responded: “It’s everything. We’re swarming. We have these things called ‘blue line” and “100-100″ where you give 100 perfect effort, 100 effort of the time.”

Lenard added: “It’s also about the physicality. We like to play physical football.”

The Spartans open the 2019 regular season against the Northern Colorado Bears at CEFCU Stadium on Thursday, August 29. Brennan hopes this will be the season where his team kicks the door down and find ways to finish their games as a team.