Author: Sports Radio Service

San Jose State still searching for first win of the season

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan held his weekly press conference inside Simpkins Stadium Center on Monday afternoon. Obviously, Brennan–and the Spartans–weren’t happy with their seventh straight loss of the season. The Spartans haven’t won a game since November 25, 2017 when they squeaked past the Wyoming Cowboys 20-17 at CEFCU Stadium to close out the 2017 season.

Here’s my Q&A with Brennan:

1. The Spartans got off to a good start, thanks to Bryce Crawford. The Spartans, however, lost a close game in the end. How disappointing was it for the players and coaches on Saturday night?
I think everyone was devastated. To go in there and go toe-to-toe with their great defense and just what they do as an offense running the football. The success they’ve had over the years. The respect that we have for their program to go in there and play as well as we did and not finish it and not come out with a win was really disappointing. The challenge for us now is how can we get rid of that game and move on to get ready for our next one. To me, this is the most important game of the year.

2. The Spartans’ run game was clearly broken. What changes can be made to make sure the Spartans capitalize on their opportunities and gain yards?
I think it was broken, but I think it made a big step last week against San Diego State even though the numbers weren’t big. I think we ran for more yards than everyone they played so far–maybe outside of Stanford. So I think that’s something we can feel really good about. We were playing the 12th-ranked defense in the country last week and I thought our offensive line and coach (Joe) Bernardi did a good job at the game plan there. I thought Tyler Nevens and Malik Roberson did a nice job running the ball and I felt like that run game was one of the things that kind of helped us sustain drives and change that game a little bit in the second half so obviously we’re going to put a lot of work into it and hopefully we can get an even better performance this weekend.

3. The Spartans committed costly penalties at the worst times. What are your thoughts on the horse-collar flag and roughing-the-passer call that allowed San Diego State to get ahead and avoid a huge upset?
The roughing-the-passer call…I thought that was a tough one! We got pressured in there and it was his first college football game. He hasn’t played yet at all. And I’m so proud of Junior Fehoko; he went in there and played his tail off. He did a lot of good stuff in that game. It was his first college game against an outfield like that. That’s a big time accomplishment. He’s not trying to rough the passer; he’s trying to play as hard as he possibly can. So that’s a real teachable moment, a real learning moment for him. The frustrating things are our penalties that stop the drive on offense or extend the drive on defense and those are the things that we need to eliminate. But in terms of penalties overall, that game, they were very low.

Spartan nation, don’t forget that you can call or text (408) 924-7589 for San Jose State football tickets.

Amari Cooper traded to Cowboys

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Photo credit: @theScore

By Jeremy Kahn

If you thought the Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears was big, but just wait and hold on to your hats.

The Oakland Raiders have traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2019 first-round draft pick.

With the trades of Mack and Cooper, the Raiders will now have three first-round draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Cooper, who was the fourth pick of the Raiders out of Alabama in the 2015 NFL Draft caught 22 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown in six games for the 1-5 Raiders this season.

The wide receiver, who was in the same draft as current Raiders quarterback Derek Carr began his career with back-to-back 1,000 yard plus seasons under former head coach Jack Del Rio and also made two Pro Bowls.

Cooper, who is just 24 years old is set to make around $13.9 million during the 2019 season, under the fifth-year option.

Presently, Cooper is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in the Raiders 27-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on October 14 at Wembley Stadium in London.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal sigh of relief end 14-game road losing streak; Do the Bears have a chance against UW?

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photo mercurynews.com Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garber (7) had lots of room and lots of time throwing against the Oregon State University Beavers on Saturday

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 How much of relief is it for Cal (4-3) to get back into the conference road win column after 14 straight road tries?

#2 Cal made it no doubt in their 49-7 win in a huge win over Oregon State University (1-6). Was it because Cal came out fired up and prepared or they beat a club who were worse than them?

#3 Changing quarterbacks from Cal Brandon Mcllwain to Chase Garbers. How much did that electrify the offense and why did head coach Justin Wilcox make the change?

#4 The Bears got great held from running back Patrick Laird–a 53-yard run, 193 yards rushing, three touchdowns instrumental in the first half for Cal to take a 21-0 lead.

#5 The Bears host the Washington Huskies on Saturday the Huskies first in the Pac-12 at (6-2). Do the Bears have a chance?

Morris Phillips is a Cal Bears beat writer and does the Bears podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Nuggets block Warriors from overtime with 100-98 win

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By: London Donson

The Golden State Warriors traveled to Colorado for a Sunday edition of NBA Basketball. The odd on favorites to win the title faced off against the Denver Nuggets, both teams boasting 2-0 records entering play. While Steph Curry was on the precipice of history, needing to make just five 3-pointers to pass Paul Pierce for sixth on the all-time list, Denver was trying to get themselves an excellent home win against the defending NBA champs.

While the Warriors were in control early, they faced a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. They would have their say before the night was over, however as they stormed back with a 21-8 run, tying the game at 97 with just under 90 seconds left in regulation. Heading down the stretch, however, the nuggets would regain their lead, 99-97. As the final seconds on the clocked ticked away the Warriors’ Damian Jones had an opportunity snatched away from him right under the hoop. After receiving the pass from driving Curry, Jones was denied from behind Juan Hernangomez and time would expire.

There is not much to glean from this early season tilt from the Warriors’ perspective. They had an off game, yes, shooting only 24% from deep and had problems with ball security through the night, coughing it up 18 times. That being said, they don’t have any true fundamental issues, and they will be getting all-star center Boogie Cousins later this season. A close game at Mile High can be expected when a team comes off two close wins over two of the tough western foes, the Jazz and Thunder.

For the Nuggets, it’s a great sign as things are headed in the right direction with a young core. If they can prove they can pull off close wins against the toast of the Western Conference consistently their streak of five consecutive years missing the playoffs may be coming to an end.

The Warriors return to Oracle Arena to host the Phoenix Suns on Monday at 7:30 pm PT on NSBA and FSAZ.

NCAABB podcast with Michelle Richardson: Differences in treatment between women’s basketball players and NBA players

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On the NCAABB podcast with Michelle:

It’s that time of the year folks. It’s NCAA basketball and NCAA basketball has all the drama that you could ask for in college basketball. It’s coming. The NBA is talking about paying players who don’t want to go to college and come out of high school and come into the G-League and give them $125,000 to play in the G-League.

That sounds really great, doesn’t it? But wait a minute, what about the WNBA? When will the NBA start paying the WNBA players? In case you didn’t know, WNBA players can’t go into the league until after four years of school. So basically the women players have to play all four years.

Listen to it all Michelle Richardson on the NCAABB podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes end final home game with 0-0 draw with Rapids

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — With all eyes on the Wondo Watch, The San Jose Earthquakes (4-20-9) weren’t able to get their captain Chris Wondolowski the two goals needed to break London Donovan’s record in a 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids (7-19-7) in the final home game of the season at Avaya Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It’s not like the Quakes didn’t give it their best effort as the whole team was trying to set up Wondo throughout the entire match. Wondo’s best chances came at the 38th minute one-timing a centering pass from Nick Lima that was blocked by a defender and in the 54th minute he had a clear shot attempt from 18 yards out that sailed high over the net.

“I think they did a good job of marking up,” said Wondo. “I felt our final ball was lacking, our final movement. My shots went into defenders, they blocked them or I missed the target. That’s all on me.”

The first half of play was mostly quiet until about 10 minutes left till intermission. Rapids defender Kortne Ford had an apparent hand ball not called by referee Tim Ford in the 35th minute.

In the 37th minute, Rapids forward Shkelzen Gashi had his attempt from eight yards out just sail wide right of the far post that had beat Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski.

Tommy Thompson had a quality chance to score in the 40th minute, but his attempt was  saved by Rapids goalie Tim Howard.

In the 45th minute, San Jose had two chances to score, but Shea Salinas’ attempt was tipped over the net by Howard. Then on the ensuing corner kick, Anibal Godoy’s header attempt was also stopped by Howard.

In the second half, the Quakes controlled the play and tempo–winning the possession battle 65% to 35%–and looked like they were going to send the Blue and Black faithful home happy. In the 56th minute, Jackson Yueill’s header attempt on a centering pass was kept out of the net, thanks to the cat-like reflexes by Howard.

San Jose’s best attempt to break the deadlock came in the 71st minute. Yeuill one-tocuhed a back pass to Shae Salinas, who dribbled past one defender and shot the ball just wide right of the goal.

In the match’s final moments, Colorado’s Jack Price almost spoiled the afternoon for the Quakes. Price’s close range shot was tipped over the net by Marcinkowski in the 90th minute.

“Disappointing we didn’t win,” said interim head coach Steve Ralston, who was coaching his final home game for the Quakes. “I thought the performance was really well by the entire group. Unfortunately we couldn’t break them down in the final third (of the match).”

“He came in a very tought spot,” said forward Danny Hoesen regarding Ralston’s upcoming final game as interim coach. “He’s very professional and a good guy. Obviously it would be nice for him to get a win (in his final game as head coach). There will be a little bit extra motivation (next week in Seattle).”

GAME NOTES: Colorado’s Bismark Boateng received a yellow card in the 51st minute for a hard tackle on San Jose’s Jackson Yueill. Ford received a yellow card in the 78th minute for closelining Thompson.

The Quakes finished the match with 13 corner kicks compared to Colorado’s 3.

Vako entered the match in the 81st minute as a substitution for Hoesen.

San Jose is 29-21-16 overall against Colorado with a 16-8-8 record at home.

The announced attendance was 17,474.

UP NEXT: The Quakes travel up to Seattle to take on the Sounders in the regular season finale on Sunday, October 28 at 1:30 pm PT.

Barracuda fall 3-2 to Heat at SAP Center

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Photo credit: @AHLHeat

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat wrapped up their home and home series at SAP Center on Sunday. In case you missed it, San Jose downed Stockton by a score of 5-2 last night. San Jose used a four-goal third period to leave Stockton in shock.

Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer went with Antoine Bibeau, Dylan Gambrell, Vincent Praplan, Francis Perron, Cavan Fitzgerald and Keaton Middleton for his starting lineup.

However, Stockton got on the board first. Andrew Mangiapane scored his second goal of the season with 6:25 left in the first quarter. Oliver Kylington and Tyler Graovac collected the assists on Mangiapane’s goal.

Stockton doubled their lead a little less than two minutes later. Graovac scored his third goal of the season with 4:31 left in the first. Mangiapane and former Barracuda right winger Buddy Robinson collected the assists on Graovac’s goal.

The Heat were fired up and held a 2-0 lead over the Barracuda at the end of the first. Stockton edged San Jose in shots, 9-8.

The second period was chock full of penalties for both teams, but Stockton was the only team who capitalized on a man advantage. Spencer Foo notched his third goal of the season on the 5-on-3 to give the Heat a 3-0 lead with 8:12 left in the second. Graovac collected the assist on Foo’s power play goal.

Also, San Jose struggled to find the back of the net in the second for the first 10 minutes of the second. But the Barracuda avoided a shutout, thanks to Maxim Letunov’s fifth goal of the season with 5:02 left in the second. Praplan collected the lone assist on Letunov’s goal.

The Barracuda made it a one-goal game when Jayden Halbgewachs scored his third goal of the season with 1:11 left in the second.

The Heat still held a 3-2 lead over the Barracuda at the end of the second. Shots were even at 20 apiece.

The Heat were unable to capitalize with the man advantage on both Barracuda penalties, but they managed to hold on for a 3-2 win in the second game of the home-and-home series. Heat goalie Tyler Parsons stopped 26 of 28 shots for the road win, while Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau made 26 saves on 29 shots in a home loss.

Notes 
The San Jose Sharks announced that the club reassigned center Dylan Gambrell to the San Jose Barracuda. Gambrell played today.

Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau played in his 150th AHL game today.

There’s a Second Harvest food drive going on at SAP Center. This is one of the most difficult times of the year, so if you have any canned goods, please donate them at a Barracuda home game to help families in need.

Up Next 
The Barracuda head out on the road to take on the San Antonio Rampage on Friday, October 26 at 5:30 pm PT.

NCAAFB podcast with Michelle Richardson: Clemson got a huge win over NC State; Pregame scuffle between Wolves and Spartans; Leach says WSU getting short-changed on calls

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Photo credit: @NBCSports

On the NCAAFB podcast with Michelle:

#1 No. 3 Clemson (7-0) took out No. 16 NC State (5-1) a huge night for Clemson in the 41-7 win. Clemson one of the last undefeated teams.

#2 Michigan (7-1) head coach Jim Harbaugh called out Michigan State (4-3) head coach Mark Dantonio after Michigan players were staying on the field as the Spartans were doing a pregame walk. Two Michigan players were clothes lined by two Michigan State players. It was reported in the view of those who witnessed the pregame fiasco as the worst exhibition of poor sportsmanship in recent memory.

#3 WSU (6-1) head coach Mike Leach texted that he doubts the Pac-12 is committed to player safety, favoritism towards other teams in the Pac-12, and more targeting in no calls against USC (4-3).

Michelle Richardson does the NCAAFB podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Three takeaways from San Jose State’s heartbreaking 16-13 loss at San Diego State

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

Oh where do I begin? Saturday night was a time for the San Jose State Spartans to redeem themselves, which they did against the San Diego State Aztecs, but fell short 16-13 at SDCCU Stadium. The Aztecs avoided an upset, thanks to their senior kicker John Baron II, who finished with a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, including his late, go-ahead field goal that sealed the deal for his team.

Here are my three takeaways from San Jose State’s heartbreaking 16-13 loss at San Diego State.

Second week in a row
Senior kicker Bryce Crawford helped the Spartans to an early 6-0 lead after the first quarter. Crawford converted field goals of 42 and 24 yards, respectively.

This was the second week in a row where the Spartans scored first on a Crawford field goal. The Spartans gave everything the Aztecs were able to handle, and while their record hasn’t shown dominance, Crawford’s one heck of a kicker who’s one of the bright spots on the Spartan roster.

Not a great return
Quarterback Josh Love returned to the field following a concussion sustained against the Army Black Knights at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, October 13.

Love was intercepted once on a fourth quarter pick by the Aztecs’ sophomore safety Tariq Thompson, who returned the ball to midfield. As a result, 15-yard penalty was assessed for a horse collar tackle, which placed the ball on the Spartan 35-yard line.

Limited amount
The Spartans limited the Aztecs to just 293 yards of total offense. This was the fewest yards the Spartans have given up to a FBS opponent since their 16-14 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs to close out the 2016 season.

Even though the Aztecs had three time consuming possessions that turned into scores and squeaked out a win in the end, the Spartans had almost nothing to be ashamed of. The Spartans simply have to watch the tape and prepare to host the UNLV Rebels inside CEFCU Stadium this Saturday at 3:30 pm PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 114th World Series–Red Sox vs. Dodgers, a Coast-to-Coast Show

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Photo credit: @KMPHFOX26

By: Amaury Pi-González

It’s a glamorous dream match-up drama made for television. The Boston Red Sox, the franchise of the legends Babe Ruth and Ted Williams against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the franchise of the legends of Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. It will be New England Clam Chowder vs. Los Angeles Tacos, Cape Cod vs. Hollywood, Fenway Park vs. Dodger Stadium, the colors Red vs. Blue. Two of the oldest major league parks in the country,but two of the most iconic. It all begins this Tuesday, October 23 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles  for Game 1. It this reads like a television drama since it could be just that.

A huge story for Latin America is Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who is the first manager born in Caguas, Puerto Rico to take his team to a World Series. He is 43 years old. His team gave him the best birthday present ever on the day of his birthday, October 18, as they won the American League pennant, eliminating the 2017 World Series champions Houston Astros. In 2011, Edwin Rodríguez, also from Puerto Rico, briefly managed the Florida Marlins. There has only been one manager born in Latin America that has won a World Series. Venezuelan Ozzie Guillén in 2005 when the Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros. The first Latin American-born manager in MLB history was Miguel Angel González (Mike González) born in Cuba, and in 1938, replaced Frankie Frisch as the St. Louis Cardinals’ skipper.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in a World Series since the 1916 World Series,when the Dodgers were known as the Brooklyn Robins. In 1916, Broadway theater owner and producer Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward bought the Red Sox for $700,000.

In 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weegham Park (modern-day Wrigley Field) and they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. That same year the New York Giants traded Christy Mathewson to the Reds. Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) was the President of the United States. The U.S. Marines occupied the Dominican Republic. In Seattle, Mr.William Boeing renamed his young airplane company BOEING. DW Criffith’s film Intolerance: Love’s Struggle Through the Ages was released while massive flooding by two hurricanes devastated North Carolina. Unfortunately, hurricanes have been with us for centuries.

Who is the better team?  The Red Sox led the world in offense, the Dodgers where número uno in home runs in the National League, so it seems the Dodgers win most of the time with the long ball. But that is today’s game in baseball. It is all about “launch angle” and guys hitting .235 with 35 home runs. This season, there were more strikeouts than hits in MLB–the first time that has ever happened. The Red Sox have more selective hitters like AL batting champion Mookie Betts .346 and probably the MVP in the league and J.D. Martínez, who has become the hitting guru today. He fell short of winning the Triple Crown. The last player to lead the Majors in all three categories in the same season was Mickey Mantle, who batted .353 with 52 homers and 130 RBI for the Yankees in 1956. The Mick was the last man to win the Triple Crown. Is that easy to do? The last time was 62 years ago.

Both teams have good starting pitching and bullpens. Both closers Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are not automatic when they come out late in the game, as the booth can elevate the blood pressure of their respective managers very quickly with a simple walk in a close game. However, the way it has been going, closers come in the seventh inning and sometimes starters pitch in the ninth and secure the victory. So, only God knows how pitchers will be used.

Without going into pedantic analysis, these are two very good deep teams. Dodgers have basically two squads,with tremendous depth maybe even more than the Red Sox. It is tough to pick a winner. I know here in the Bay Area, specially on the west side of the bay, I would make more enemies than friends if I picked the Dodgers, and I am inclined to do that this time. They are on a mission and manager Dave Roberts had his team since Spring Training very focused on repeating as NL champions and making it again to the October Classic. The Dodgers have accomplished that. This should be a long series. The old cliché, “It is not the best team that wins, but the team that plays the best”. Best testimony of that statement was the 1988 Dodgers vs Athletics World Series, the A’s were a better team in all aspects of the game, yet the Dodgers won. Hurts me to remember that, since I was there with the A’s. 1988 is also the last time the Dodgers won the whole Enchilada.

One thing is for sure and this will be fun. if there is a Game 7, it will be played at Fenway Park on Halloween! Trick or Treat?