The Josh Abbott Band headlines final night of Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (September 22, 2013) The final evening of music and rodeo competition at the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo featured bull riding, bull fighting and the country music styling of The Josh Abbott Band on Saturday, Sept, 21, 2013. The crowds braved the overcast skies and muddy grounds around the rodeo arena in the Houston suburb of Pasadena, Texas to view the final night of bull riding on Armed Forces Night; where local high school ROTC units helped honor the fallen member of the military.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

The Josh Abbott Band took to the rotating stage to close out the second weekend of rodeo events and the fans in attendance was supportive of the rousing musical renditions of the highly popular Texas Country band.

Having their origins in Lubbock, Texas, the band is made up of Josh Abbott on vocals and guitar, Austin Davis on banjo, Preston Wait on fiddle and guitar, Caleb Keeter on guitar, James Hertless on bass and Edward Villanueva on drums.

They entertained the crowd with performances of some of their best songs and fan favorites; such as I’ll Sing About Mine,” “She Will Be Free,” “Oh, Tonight,” and “Touch.” They have released three albums; all on the Pretty Damn Tough label.

Their kickoff album, “Scapegoat” was released March 31, 2008, while the second album “She’s Like Texas” was released February 16, 2010 and peaked at number 28 on the U.S. country music charts.

The most recent album release, “Small Town Family Dream” was released on April 24, 2012 and ranked number five on the U.S. country charts.

The Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo festivities will continue on Thursday to Saturday, September 26-28, 2013 with the annual bar-b-cue cook-off competition.

Houston Dynamo down Chivas USA, 5-1

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September The Houston Dynamo (12-10-7, 43 points) kept their playoff chances alive as they rallied for four goals in the second half to down Chivas USA (6-16-8, 26 points) by the score of 5-1 in front of 20,157 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The five goals scored by the Dynamo was the highest goal total in an MLS game since the inaugural game in 

Houston on April 2, 2006, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids by the score of 5-2 on four goals by Brian Ching.
At the end of the first half, the Dynamo held a 1-0 lead as a result of a Giles Barnes goal in the 39th minute; with an assist by Brad Davis.
Chivas evened the score in the 50th minute when Eric Avila found the goal for the score on an unassisted kick.
Then the Dynamo’s scoring assault began with goals by Barnes in the 54th minute and Will Bruin in the 63rd 
minute.
Barnes scored his goal off an assisted pass by Brad Davis and Bruin’s goal, which was his seventh of the season, was unassisted.
 
Boniek Garcia finally got his first goal in the orange and while colors of the Dynamo when he took a fine pass from Bruin in the 79th minute and adeptly put it in the net for the Dynamo’s fourth goal of the night.
He added an insurance goal in extra time when he received a penalty kick to round out the scoring for the Dynamo.
With the win, Houston is in sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Montreal and three points ahead of New England.
They will next play W Connection in a CONCACAF Champions League game on Wednesday, Sept. 28 with a 7 p.m. start.

Their next MLS game will be on the road against New England on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.

Houston Cougars retain Bayou Bucket Trophy; beat Rice Owls 31-26

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright  2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 22, 2013) The Houston Cougars were trailing four minutes into game and rebounded with 24 points to down the Rice Owls by the score of 31-26 to retain possession of the Bayou Bucket on Saturday, Sept, 21, 2013 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Rice jumped out to an early lead on a Luke Turner pass to Turne Petersen to take the score 6-0 at the 12:34 mark.
The Cougars responded two-minutes later when sophomore Ryan Jackson capped off a 75 yard drive with a one-yard run to make the score 7-6.
Rice followed up at the 6:51 mark with Charles Ross scoring on a one-yard run to take the score to 13-7 in favor of Rice.
The Cougars then rattled off 24 unanswered points to make the score 31-13 seven second into the fourth quarter.
It seemed to many fans in Reliant Stadium that the Cougars were on the way to an easy victory when Rice mounted a comeback with less than 11 minutes remaining in the game.
The Owls scored a touchdown off a nine play, 65 yard drive that lasted four minutes, cutting the Houston lead to 31-20.
A blocked Houston punt at their own 38 yard line led to a Taylor McHargue touchdown to further cut the Houston lead to six.
Rice recovered the on-side kick at the 2:19 mark in the fourth quarter but was unable to capitalize.
Houston’s John O’Korn and Greg Ward shared quarterback responsibilities during the game with O’Korn completing 15-of-303 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns.
Ward, on the other hand, achieved his offensive punch on the ground, keeping the ball nine times for 80 yards, while completing three passes for 48 yards.
Ryan Jackson carried the ball 19 times for 88 yards and one touchdown.
In the air, Doentay Greenberry caught six passes for 146 yards and one touchdown while Daniel Spencer and Jackson both caught four passes for 76 and 57 yards, respectively and one touchdown each.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Houston head coach Tony Levine stated he was very pleased with his two freshmen quarterbacks (O’Korn and Ward) when interviewed by members of the media in the post-game press conference;

"Greg Ward got his first game action and rushed the ball nine times for 80 yards. I’m really proud of him, and he and John O’Korn are both in the same mold of they seem older in terms of the way they carry themselves. I was proud of John as he made a couple of freshman mistakes, but is still learning. He’s getting better, and he’s a competitor. He took some pretty big hits out there, and got back in the game and threw three touchdown passes."

Greenberry was asked in the press conference how he felt about being the main option as a receiver for the quarterbacks;

"We had two true freshmen who were able to get in today, and they both did an excellent job. It’s just going out there and making plays for the quarterbacks. You just have to go out there and execute and trust that your quarterback will get it there."

Defensively, linebacker Steven Taylor had 11 total tackles for Houston, with three of them solo; while strong safety Adrian McDonald tallied five solo and five assisted tackles.
With the win, the Cougars raise their season record to 3-0 as they prepare to hit the road next Saturday to face Texas-San Antonio at the Alamodome in San Antonio with a 3:00 p.m. CT kickoff.

College Football Top 25 Rankings

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (September 22, 2013) I have been selected as one of the 30 college football writers for examiner.com to submit my weekly picks for their top 25 teams in college football ranking.

Below are my picks as submitted on Sunday morning, September 22, 2013. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments.

 

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Oregon

4. Clemson

5. Stanford

6. LSU

7. Louisville

8. Florida State

9. Texas A&M

10. Georgia

11. Oklahoma State

12. South Carolina

13. Oklahoma

14. UCLA

15. Michigan

16. Northwestern

17. Miami (FL)

18. Washington

19. Florida

20. Mississippi (Ole Miss)

21. Baylor

22. Notre Dame

23. Arizona State

24. Wisconsin

25. Texas Tech

Kevin Fowler headlines Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday night

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 15, 2013)  Those in attendance on Saturday evening, September 14, 2013, at the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo in the Houston suburb of Pasadena, Texas were treated to great rodeo riding and roping; and closed the night out with the country music of Texas favorite Kevin Fowler.

Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Fowler entertained the fans on the dirt of the infield of the Ross Kelley Rodeo Arena on a newly installed rotating stage that lowers from the rafters inside the arena. The Amarillo, Texas native wowed the crowd, playing many of his hits, including “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer,” “Girl in a Truck,” “How Country are Ya,” and “Here’s to me and You.” Prior to the concert, lines were long as fans waited to meet Fowler at an official “meet and greet” event on the rodeo grounds.

Fans crowded the arena floor and stood nine-to-ten deep around the revolving stage to get the best view of Fowler; with many dancing and signing along to the songs.

The second day of the livestock show and rodeo kicked off with the annual rodeo parade through the downtown streets of Pasadena with local high school marching bands, dance squads and beauty pageant winners featured on the various floats. The livestock show and rodeo continues through Saturday, Sept. 21 with Jason Cassidy performing on Wednesday, Sept. 18; followed by Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram and Dustin Lynch on Thursday, Sept. 19, Tracy Lawrence on Friday, Sept. 20, with the Josh Abbott Band closing out the rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 21.

McNeese State Cowboys down Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 58-14 in home opener

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 7, 2013) The McNeese State University Cowboys won their second game of the 2013 season by knocking off Universityof Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lions by the score of 58-14 in front of 15,217 fans at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

McNeese got on the scoreboard at the 11:40 mark in the first quarter when tailback Marcus Wiltz took the hand-off from quarterback CodyStroud and scampered 12 yards for the touchdown.  Ryan Rome’s kick was good to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead

Arkansas-Pine Bluff battled back with a 73-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard run by Jamie Smith to tie the score with six minute remaining in the quarter.

The Cowboys found the end zone with 24 second left in the first quarter when Dylan Long plunged through the defense and over the goal line to take the score to 14-7.

The Lions would not be denied, as they drove 75-yards in six plays to add another touchdown to their tally on a two-yard run by Jeremiah Young at the 14:30 mark to again tie the score.

Diontae Spencer took the ensuing kickoff for the Cowboys and returned it 80-yard to the Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17-yard line.

Four plays later, quarterback Tyler Bolfing rushed seven-yard for the third touchdown of the night for the Cowboys to take the score to 21-14.

McNeese further extended their lead to 23-14, when they scored an additional two points at the 11:42 mark on a Lion miscue which resulted in a safety.

The Cowboys added another touchdown at the 10:11 mark on a Wiltz run and a Rome kick.

Both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with McNeese leading 37-14.

In the second half, McNeese continued its assault on the scoreboard with touchdowns by Ernest Celestie, on a 33-yard pass, and a 12-yard pass reception by Long, which took the score to 51-14.

McNeese added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard run by Jontrey Tillman.

DE Chris Loveless, who played his high school football at South Houston High School (South Houston, Texas), was credited with three tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Offensively, Wiltz rushed for 115 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns.

Stroud completed 21-of-30 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lions were led by Smith, with 15 carries for 91 yards, while Benjamin Anderson completed 13-of-25 passes for 110 yards.

The Cowboys will next face West Alabama on Sept. 12 at home, while the Lions host Alabama State on the same date.

Houston Cougars down Southern Jaguars, 62-13 in season opener for both teams

Daniel Spencer scored three touchdowns for the  Houston 
Cougars against Southern University.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 2, 2013) With the offense passing for 255 yards and the rushing attack accounting for 372 yards, the Houston Cougars got off to a good start in the 2013 season by downing Southern University by the score of 62-13 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on Friday evening, August 30, 2013.

The Cougars utilized a balanced attacked; employing the talents of third-year quarterback David Piland and true-freshman quarterback John O’Korn.

Piland and O’Korn combined for a total of 255 yards passing, with four aerial touchdowns.

Piland, the 6-3, 196 pound starting quarterback from Southlake, Texas, completed 15 of 23 passes form 148 yards and one touchdown.

He played the entire first half, except for one four-play series; when O’Korn was sent in to lead the offense.

Houston head coach Tony Levine addressed his decision concerning the quarterback platooning in the post-game press conference.

“That was out plan heading in, that John (O’Korn) would get the fourth series and then we were going to start the second half with David Piland and then O’Korn would play the rest of the second half.”

O’Korn completed 11-of-15 passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

On the ground, the Cougars tallied 372 yards with the duo of Ryan Jackson and Kenneth Farrow accounting for a combined 221 yards and two touchdowns.

Jackson carried the ball 10 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

When questioned by the media in the post-game press conference concerning the attitude of the offense during the game, Jackson commented:

“It’s all about execution and tonight we did that as a team. Part of the game and part of being a playmaker is playing with that attitude. I like that. We came out there tonight with that attitude to execute on offense.”

Richie Leone has added place kicking duties to his job
description for 2013.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

Farrow contributed 101 yards on 20 carries.

In the air, Daniel Spencer caught nine passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Kicker Richie Leone scored 11 points; going 5-for-5 on PATs and converting two field goals of 30 and 38 yards.

As a result, he was honored as the American Athletic Conference Special Team Player of the Week.

The Cougars will next face Temple University in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, September 7, 2013 with a 12 noon EDT kickoff.