Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Jordan’s death a mystery at Utah; Covid concerns ends Duke women’s bb; NHL starts 56 game season Jan 13th; plus more

Syracuse Orange host Duke on Jan 3, 2016 in the Carrier dome at Syracuse. The Duke women’s basketball program has been canceled for the 2020-21 season due to Coronavirus concerns (syracuse.com file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Daniel:

1 Utah Utes running back Ty Jordan who shot himself Friday and died at age 19

2 Duke women’s basketball pulls the plug on the remainder of its season

3 NHL to start 56-game season on Jan. 13 with four regional divisions

4 Saints’ Alvin Kamara rushes for record-tying 6 touchdowns vs. Vikings

5 Browns down 6 players for game vs. NY Jets due to COVID protocol

6 Former Oakland A’s OF Sam Fuld is new Phillies GM

7 RIP – Ron Widby, played in the NFL, ABA, also former Braves pitcher Phil Niekro and Boston Celtic head coach KC Jones.

Join Daniel on Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers upset Cardinals 20-12 behind C.J. Beathard’s 3 TDs

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (23) holding intercepted ball that he picked off in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

GLENDALE, Ariz — With the 49ers already officially eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 41-33 in Week 15, didn’t mean that San Francisco had nothing to play for in 2020.

Like preventing their bitter rivals in the Arizona Cardinals from making it to the postseason. If the Cardinals don’t make the playoffs after entering Week 16 holding down the final spot in the NFC playoffs, they can thank the 49ers.

The 49ers pulled off the 20-12 upset over their State Farm Stadium tenants on Saturday afternoon.

San Francisco (6-9) avoided being swept by Arizona this season. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1. Arizona (8-7) came into this season having swept the season series from San Francisco in five out of the last six seasons.

In his first start since Week 8 of the 2018 season, C.J. Beathard played with a steady hand in engineering the 49ers’ run-first offense which made his job that much easier. Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Beathard threw touchdown passes to running back Jeff Wilson and Kyle Juszczyk giving the 49ers a 14-6 lead late in the third quarter.

Entering Week 16, Beathard was 1-9 as a starting quarterback for San Francisco. He was pressed into action after injuries to Jimmy Garappolo and Nick Mullens.

Beathard was also sacked three times.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Juszczyk hauled in his second score of the game (Beathard’s third TD of the game) from nine yards out that gave the 49ers a 20-12 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

But it was Wilson that shouldered most of the offensive burden for the 49ers against the Cardinals. With Raheem Mostert placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain on Friday, Wilson rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 22 carries in his second start.

A day after most of the world opened presents on Christmas, the 49ers unwrapped tight end George Kittle and immediately felt his impact in the starting lineup.

The 49ers’ best and freshest player, Kittle looked healthy in his first game since Week 8 was on a pitch-count. He spent most of the time on the sideline as he rotated back and forth with Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley. Kittle was targeted just once in the first half, catching a 24-yard pass with 6:22 left in the first quarter. He played 13 of the 49ers’ 26 snaps in the first half.

Kittle caught four passes for a team-high 92 yards. He caught all but one pass that was thrown his way.

San Francisco’s defense deserves a ton of credit for the 49ers’ win today.

Despite playing without three defensive lineman, including Javon Kinlaw, cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Jimmie Ward, the 49ers didn’t play like they were short-handed.

The 49ers were able to hold their own against Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray completed 31 of 50 passes for 247 yards, but was sacked three times and threw an interception. He also rushed for a team-high 75 yards on eight carries.

Arizona scored its first and only touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Kenyan Drake jumped on top of a pile and stretched his arm just far enough for a 1-yard touchdown. Murray couldn’t connect with DeAndre Hopkins on the 2-point conversion and the 49ers still led 14-12.

San Francisco’s defense leaned on linebackers Fred Warner (14 tackles) and Dre Greenlaw (7 tackles), while the defensive backfield was a major factor as cornerbacks Jason Verrett (7 tackles), Ahkello Witherspoon (7 tackles), K’Waun Williams (6 tackles) and safety Tarvarius Moore (11 tackles) limited Arizona receivers in yards-after-the-catch.

The 49ers held Hopkins in check, limiting the dynamic wide receiver to a team-high eight catches for 48 yards. A far cry from Week 1 where he caught a career-high 14 catches for 151 yards against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Verrett who was primarily guarding Hopkins throughout the day made the biggest play of the first half, breaking up a well-thrown pass from Murray in the end zone that prevented a potential touchdown. The play forced Arizona to kick a field goal that gave San Francisco a 7-6 lead at halftime.

San Francisco’s biggest plays came on Arizona’s final two drives of the game, including the aforementioned Witherspoon’s interception of Murray’s pass in the end zone.

The 49ers wouldn’t have had to sweat out the game if kicker Robbie Gould didn’t miss two field goals and an extra point.

Gould who made his 400th career field in Week 15, missed field goals from 37 and 41 yards. He missed an extra point after Juszczyk’s second touchdown that kept the score at 20-12.

San Francisco plays its final “home” game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium, while Arizona heads to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in the season finale.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Superbowl Wayne: Carr miracle come back starts game against Dolphins

The Las Vegas Raiders Derek Carr (4) drops back to throw against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sep 23, 2018. Carr got to start against Miami after being listed as injured for 10-14 weeks in today’s game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Sat Dec 26, 2020.  (mercurynews.com file photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Superbowl Wayne:

#1 When Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and the Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa started against each other on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas it was a surprise come back of sorts for Carr who was expected to be out some ten to 14 weeks.

#2 At St Louis High School in Honolulu Raider back up quarterback Marcus Mariota mentored Tua as a fourth grade quarterback while he was throwing with the high school kids.

#3 Tua said he never forgot the opportunity that Mariota allowed him as a fourth grader to come throw with the high school players it’s a memory Tua won’t forget and said Mariota  is a humble guy and a hard worker.

#4 Superbowl your from Honolulu and your familiar with St Louis school in Honolulu it’s a special place for Mariota and Tua with long football ties to their early days there. They nearly opposed each other tonight for Sunday Night Football but Carr was feeling a lot better it would have been the first time two quarterbacks would have met from Hawaii had Mariota and Tua if they were to have started against each other.

#5 The Dolphins come in at 9-5 and the Raiders 7-7. The Raiders are coming of a tough Thursday Night Football loss to the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 and the Dolphins are coming off a big win over the New England Patriots 22-12 last Sunday set this game up for us.

Superbowl Wayne is filling in for Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts heard each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Beathard excited to get an opportunity to start and play an entire game

San Francisco 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard (3) celebrates a touchdown with running back Jeff Wilson (30) in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sat Dec 26, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah with the injury to 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens who most likely will need Tommy John surgery the 49ers will see quarterback CJ Beathard start. Beathard did get into last Sunday’s game in Dallas after Mullens left throwing 100 yards and one touchdown.

#2 Beathard has been trying to get the starting job on the 49ers since 2017 but with Jimmy Garoppolo holding the position and after his injuries Nick Mullens would fill in Beathard would have to wait. Fast forward to this season the opportunity comes for Beathard with just two regular season game remaining this season.

#3 Beathard said he’s excited for a chance to get under center and play the entire game as he and the 49ers faced the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium this Saturday.

#4 Beathard says he’s an improved quarterback than the quarterback he was back in 2017-18. Beathard says he’s stronger physically and can get rid of the ball quicker and believes he’s quicker in the pocket and can cut down on the number 35 sacks he took in his ten start during the 2017-18 season.

#5 Jeremiah  tight end George Kittle returned today for the first time in six games. Kittle has been on the team’s three week window in trying to make a return. I know head coach Kyle Shanahan will be watching him in practice carefully.

Join Jeremiah each Sunday for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NBA Christmas Day special: Bucks crush the Warriors 138-99

Golden State Warrior rookie center James Wiseman (33) goes for the throw down against the Milwaukee Bucks on Fri Dec 25, 2020 in Milwaukee (@warriors photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors met the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day at the FiServe Arena in Milwaukee. The Bucks, one of the best teams in the NBA, blew out the Warriors 138-99. Draymond Green did not play due to a sore foot. Golden State hopes he will play in Chicago on Sunday.

The Warriors have been blown out in their first two games of the season. Their start has been similar to an ice cream flavor, a very Rocky Road. 

The Warriors were no match for the Bucks on Friday. They lost the first quarter 33-25. Steph Curry could not get anything going. He scored seven points. Five were free throws, and he had one two-point bucket. Andrew Wiggins scored a bucket, but Kelly Oubre did not score. 

The Warriors played better in the second period. They played the Bucks evenly and lost the period 33-31. The rookie center, James Wiseman, played well. He finished the first half with fourteen points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots. Wiggins had six in the quarter, and Steph finished the half with fifteen. Milwaukee owns a ten-point advantage 66-56.

During the Warriors’ great five-year run, they owned the second half, especially the third quarter. The Warrior mojo disappeared Friday afternoon. The Bucks put on an offensive display as they crushed the Warriors in the second half. They outscored the Warriors 73-43 in the final 24 minutes of the game. The Warriors did not quit. They played hard, but their offense was non-existent. Milwaukee won by 39 points 138-99.

Game Notes and Stats: Even though the Bucks blew out the Dubs, there were some bright spots. James Wiseman continued to impress. He tallied 18 points, eight rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

James was 5-11 from the floor and made three threes. He also blocked three shots. Curry kicked in with nineteen. It was not Steph’s night. He was six-for-16 from the floor and made two threes in ten tries. Andrew Wiggins played better than he did against Brooklyn. He ended with twelve points and six rebounds. Kelly Oubre tried but did not have success. He put three points on the board. He was one-for-10 from the floor and 0-for four from three-point range. 

Bench players Brad Wanamaker, Jordan Poole, and Damion Lee tallied 11, 11, and 9, respectively.

Kris Middleton led the Bucks with 31. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo scored fifteen. He had thirteen rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo had thirteen, Jrue Holiday twelve, Bobby Portis ten, and D.J. Augustin thirteen.

The Warriors shot just 34% from the floor. The Bucks shot 54%. Teams that shoot 34% will not win many games in the NBA. The Warriors made ten threes. Milwaukee had twenty threes. The Bucks won the boards 69-49.

The Warriors move onto Chicago to face the Bulls Sunday night. The game will start at 5:00 pm.

In Memoriam- The NBA announced that Boston Celtic legend K.C.Jones, who was 88, passed away. Jones, who is in the NBA’s Hall of Fame, won eight championships with the Boston Celtics as a player and two more as a coach.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: 49ers sign Josh Rosen off the Bucs practice squad; A look at this week’s games; plus more

Newly signed San Francisco 49ers quarterback Josh Rosen will be joining the team this Saturday as the second string quarterback. Rosen will be on an active NFL roster for the first time in a year (USA Today file photo)

On Headlines with Jessica:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers signed Josh Rosen off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice roster. Rosen will be second string behind 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard’s this Saturday in Arizona. It’s the first time in a year since Rosen has been on an NFL active roster

#2 Jessica the Buffalo Bills (11-3) keep pouring it on with a huge win over the Denver Broncos (5-9) in Denver 48-19. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

#3 The Green Bay Packers (11-3) continue their winning ways with a 24-16 over the Carolina Panthers (4-10). The Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers threw for 143 and one touchdown.

#4 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) get a 31-27 victory against the Atlanta Falcons (4-10) it was a great afternoon of throwing for yardage for Bucs quarterback Tom Brady throwing for 390 yards and two touchdowns.

#5 The Tennessee Titans (10-4) left little doubt with a huge victory over the Detroit Lions (5-9) 46-25. The Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns in the large offensive day for the Titans.

Join Jessica every other Thursday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers have Kittle on three week practice schedule; can he return soon?

The San Francisco 49ers George Kittle (85) trying escape New England Patriots defensive back JC Jackson (27) after catching a pass on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in Foxborough. Kittle has been out for the last five weeks and could return this Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals (AP News file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The 49ers tight end George Kittle is moving towards coming back do you see him returning on Saturday in Glendale or maybe on Jan 3 against Seattle?

#2 Wednesday the 49ers have opened Kittle’s practice window a three week window to help determined when he could come back. There is only two games left and Kittle could return Saturday.

#3 Kittle had missed the last five games due to a fractured foot, knee sprain, and bone bruise. Kittle previous to these injuries had missed only three games in the first three years of Kittle’s NFL career.

#4 Joe, talk about quarterback Nick Mullens. He put it all on the line in the last game and came away with an injury and will eventually need Tommy John surgery.

#5 Joe, talk about the 49ers picking up quarterback Josh Rosen who will be backing up quarterback CJ Beathard for this Saturday’s game in Glendale.

Join Joe each week for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitleberg: Cardinal getting scoring from key players key for success in four game win streak

Stanford Cardinal Ziaire Williams who led the Cardinal in scoring on Monday night against CSU Bakersfield is seen here battling against the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday Dec 20, 2020 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz (midtownpress.com photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal got scoring from Ziaire Williams who led with 17 points in the Cardinal’s win over the  CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Monday night in Santa Cruz.

#2 Bryce Wills finished second in scoring with 14 points, Taze Moore 11 and Oscar da Silva with ten points for Stanford. Jerry talk about how important their offensive contributions are.

#3 With the win over the Roadrunners on Monday Stanford have now won four straight games and are becoming a formable Pac 12 contender. Certainly winning is breeding confidence.

#4 During the midway point of the game the Cardinal had the lead and never looked back. The Cardinal led in both ends of each half.

#5 The Cardinal will get ten days off before their next game at Oregon State scheduled for New Years Eve for a 3:00pm tip. It will be Stanford’s first meeting of the season against the Beavers.

Join Jerry F each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings pull off overtime win in Denver 124-122

The Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield (24) drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr (left) and center Nikola Jokic (right) in overtime Wed Dec 23, 2020 in Denver (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The 2021 NBA season has arrived. The Sacramento Kings took on their first opponent of the season on Wednesday night. It is a tough assignment for the Kings as they took on the Denver Nuggets in Denver and pulled off a 124-122 win. However, before we get into the game, let’s chat preseason.

The Kings had many positive signs in this camp. Tyrese Haliburton looks like the real deal. He can shoot, defend and has already been seen dropping dimes to his teammates for easy buckets. The future looks bright for this one.

The Kings core looks to be healthy (Knock on wood) entering the season. De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, and Tyrese Haliburton look like they will all contribute major roles this season.

The game was a wild one. The Kings fell to an early deficit against the Nuggets in the first half. The Kings weren’t playing their best in the first half as the Nuggets outscored them 60-53. The Kings needed to make adjustments on defense and get stops if they had any chance of winning the game.

In the second half, the script flipped for the Kings. They managed to outscore the Nuggets 36-24 in the third quarter, thanks largely to ten points from De’Aaron Fox. Fox was clearly leading the team back into the game, where they took the lead 89-84 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings faltered on defense. Marvin Bagley III fouled out with Rachaun Holmes. This led to some bad matchups on defense that allowed the Nuggets to tie the game and send it to overtime.

In overtime, the Kings miraculously came out with the win. As time was winding down in OT, Nikola Jokic lost control of the ball, and it was gathered up by Harrison Barnes. Barnes then proceeded to drive to the hoop but was blocked from behind. As time was expiring, Buddy Hield got the put back off the rim and got the bucket to win at the buzzer 124-122.

Next Up: The Kings come home to play the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at 7 PM PST.

San Francisco 49ers-Arizona Cardinals preview with Jeremiah Salmonson

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback CJ Beathard (3) will try to get some scores against the Arizona Cardinals this Sat Dec 26, 2020 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale as Beathard replaces injured quarterback Nick Mullens (newsday.com file photo)

On the 49ers-Cardinals preview with Jeremiah Salmonson:

In a year of crazy happenings, this week will be no different for the San Francisco 49ers (5-9).

Last week, the 49ers were unable to pull out a win against the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Pollard made the usually good 49ers run defense falter a bit as he was able to run for a couple of key plays in the game.

Midway through the game, the 49ers benched starting quarterback Nick Mullins in favor of CJ Bethard who has had limited playing time this year. In the remaining action, Bethard threw for just over 100 yards and seemed to provide a spark for the team. However, it was not enough as they fell 41-33.

In this week’s matchup, the 49ers will take on the playoff hopeful Arizona Cardinals (8-6). The Cardinals are coming off a solid win against the seemingly energized Philadelphia Eagles. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray seemed to get back on track last week, but the run game wasn’t out in full force for the quarterback or his running backs. They look to continue their two game win streak against the 49ers.

The 49ers will most likely be starting CJ Bethard this week as Jimmy Garopollo remains out with a high ankle injury and Nick Mullins seems to be having elbow issues and might be looking at off season Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm. On the bright side for the 49ers, It seems Raheem Mostert is back and will continue to be in the lineup for the 49ers this week. Mostert, who has battled injuries this year, looks to build off a promising week last week. The 49ers who signed quarterback Josh Rosen off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad will be CJ Beathard’s back up on Saturday.

The game is set for 1:30 PM PST exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch in Arizona.