Keenam Leads Cougars to 50-43 Win Over Southern Miss

UH quarterback Case Keenam threw for 559 yards in the Cougars' 50-43 win over Southern Miss. (Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 31, 2009) The chances for the Houston Cougars to win the Conference USA Championship may have been dashed if not for a 28-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenam to Patrick Edwards with 21 seconds left in the game to give the Cougars a 50-43 victory over rival Southern Miss.

Southern Miss tied the game 43-43 with 57 seconds left on the game, giving Houston one last possession to get the ball into the end zone.

Case Keenam showed why he is one of the top quarterbacks in the country, passing for four plays and covering 77-yards to give in 36-seconds to secure the win. He threw for a career high 559-yard, completing 43 of 53 passes with one interception.

In a strictly offensive battle, the Cougars and Golden Eagles virtually traded scores the entire game in a game that saw a total of 1,358 yards of combined total offense from both teams.

Southern Miss got on the scoreboard first on a 6-yard run by Damion Fletcher at the 13:38 mark in the first quarter. Justin Esten’s kicked was blocked to make the score 6-0.

The Cougars quickly answered back on a 31-yards run by Charles Sims and a successful Matt Hogan kick to take the score to 7-6.

Southern Miss quarterback Martevious Young came back with 1:00 left in the quarter, hitting Gerald Baptiste on a seventy yard pass play to take the lead by one.

Houston came on like gang-busters in the second quarter, scoring 23 points against nine points for the Golden Eagles.

The Cougars added a field goal in the 3rd quarter to take their lead to 33-22 with 15 minutes to go.

Baptiste added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 43-43.

Then Keenan put on the 36 second show that brought down the curtain on Southern Mississippi.

Keenum had one of the best games of his career; throwing for five touchdowns while only being sacked once. His 557 yards was the highest ever thrown against a Golden Eagles’ team. The previous high was Eric Zeier from Georgia who threw for 544 yards in 1993.

UH's Posdniakova Sets Pool Records to Guide Cougars at UNC-Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA (October 31, 2009) Senior diver Anastasia Pozdniakova set two pool records at the Seahawk Natatorium on the campus of UNC Wilmington Saturday afternoon as the University of Houston swimming and diving team competed against the Seahawks and Emory.

Pozdniakova won the 1-meter event with a record 354.75 points and followed that up with 359.95 points to take the 3-meter title. The Russia native also set pool records in both diving events on Friday at the Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion in Durham, N.C., on the campus of Duke University. Pozdniakova's total in the 1-meter event was also the sixth most points scored in the event in a dual meet in school history.

Sophomore Jessalyn Almond turned in a second place finish in both the 1- and 3-meter events with scores of 254.50 and 246.35, respectively. This was the second time this season that the duo of Pozdniakova and Almond combined to take the top two spots in both diving events. During the season opener, they took the top two honors at the Phill Hansel Duals.

Sophomore Kimberley Eeson followed up her win yesterday in the 200-yard freestyle by taking top honors again on Saturday with a time of 1:53.18. The win was also a pool record. Sophomore Olga Bordatcheva followed in 10th with a time of 2:00.39. Eeson's second win of the day came with her 5:07.08 finish in the 500-yard freestyle. Bordatcheva trailed in eighth 9(5:16.82) and sophomore Rachel Holcomb was 12th (5:37.70). Eeson also turned in a third place performance in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.95 and freshman Holli Pisarski followed in 10th (57.82).

Senior Jessica Shamburger gave the Cougars another win with a 57.93 finish in the 100-yard backstroke, while freshman Kimmie Ballo was sixth (1:00.68) and sophomore Rachel Johnson was 10th (1:12.64). Shamburger also turned in a sixth place finish in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:09.19. Other swimmers included Ballo in ninth (2:10.32) and Johnson in 12th (2:34.38).

Another Cougar event win came in the 100-yard breaststroke. Sophomore Beccy Hillis turned in a time of 1:05.88, following up her win in the event a day ago. Other competitors include Pisarski in eighth (1:10.26), freshman Christine Salinas in ninth (1:12.46) and freshman Catherine Finley in 10th (1:17.74). Hillis completed the sweep of the breaststroke events with a time of 2:21.70 in the 200-yard event. Freshman Reka Kovacs was second in 2:24.57 and Finley was 11th (2:50.68).

Kovacs was a winner in the 400-yard IM with a time of 4:31.98 and sophomore Natalie Newcomb was fifth with a time of 4:38.45. Kovacs also finished fifth in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:37.49 and Newcomb was sixth (10:50.96).

Junior Andrea Kells recorded a second place finish of 2:10.26 in the 200-yard butterfly and Newcomb trailed her in seventh (2:13.37) and Holcomb was 11th (2:32.37). Kells also notched a third place finish in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.67 and Ballo was 11th in 1:04.66. Houston also had three competitors in the 50-yard freestyle. Pisarski was 10th (26.42), Johnson as 11th (28.90) and Finley was 12th (29.93).

In the relay events, Houston finished second in the 200-yard medley with a time of 1:48.05. Members of that relay team included Shamburger, Hillis, Kells and Eeson. Houston's `B' team of Johnson, Finley, Holcomb and Bordatcheva finished 10th with a time of 2:08.31.

The final relay event of the day was the 400-yard freestyle relay. The `A' team of Shamburger, Salinas, Ballo and Hillis was fourth with a time of 3:41.78 and the `B' team of Bordatcheva, Kells, Pisarski and Kovacs was fifth with a time of 3:50.09.

UNCW defeated the Cougars in the overall standings 162-135, while the Cougars came up short against Emory 152-141.

Houston will be back in action Nov. 20-22 when they host the Cougar Classic Fall Invitational at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium. Team scheduled to compete at the invitational include SMU, LSU, UNLV, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tulane, Kansas and New Mexico.

Houston’s Cross Country Men’s and Women’s Teams Both Take Fifth at C-USA Championships

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (October 31, 2009) Nate Pineda, David Smith and Stephanie Aldea finished in the top 21 to secured Conference USA All-Conference honors to help the University of Houston men’s and women’s cross country teams finish in fifth place.

The men’s squad ran in a highly competitive field with defending champion and nationally ranked No. 29 Tulsa, UTEP, ranked No. 7 in the Mountain Region, and Rice, ranked No. 9 In the South Central Region.

With a combined score of 122, the Cougars made a one spot improvement from the 2008 championships. Sophomore Nate Pineda led the Cougar pack in the 8K, crossing the finish line at the 26:02 mark – good for 19th place. The San Antonio native made an 11 spot improvement from last year and shaved 52 seconds off of his time. Making his first appearance at the championship, freshman David Smith followed close behind finishing in 21st with a time of 26:10. Pineda’s and Smith’s time awarded them a place on the All-Conference Third Team.

Sophomores Anthony Jordon and Andres Santaolalla placed 26th and 27th, respectively, finishing with a time of 26:21. Both runners improved their time from last season by at least 30 seconds. Rounding out the top five was sophomore Cole Bessner with a time of 26:50 – good for 35th place.

The women’s team, tallying 138 points, also placed fifth, matching its best finish since 2002 when the Cougars claimed fourth place. Houston squared off against an equally competitive field, facing UTEP who is ranked No. 25 in the nation. The Cougars also ran against defending champion SMU, ranked No. 3 in the South Central Region, and Rice, ranked No. 5.

Sophomore Stephanie Aldea led the squad in 17th place in the 5K, crossing the finish line at 18:58. Aldea’s placement secured a spot on the All-Conference Third Team. Her award marked the second consecutive year that the Windsor, Ontario native received a conference honor, claiming the Freshman of the Year title at the 2008 championships.

Sophomore Starla Garcia finished second on the team in 25th place with a time of 19:27. Freshman Kathryn Ducommun, sophomore Brandi Witte and sophomore Megan Munoz rounded off the top five, finishing together. Ducommun finished the race in 19:45 minutes – good for 31st place. Witte claimed 32nd place with a time of 19:46. Running less than a second behind, Munoz finished in 33rd place.

The Cougars continue to the NCAA South Central Regional in Waco, Texas on Nov. 14 to contend for a bid to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 23 in Terra Haute, Ind.

Houston to Host Southern Miss in Conference USA Football Action

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 31, 2009) The University of Houston Cougars (6-1 overall, 2-1 in Conference USA) face off against the Southern Miss Eagles (5-3 overall, 3-1 in Conference USA) at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

This will be the first meeting between Houston and Southern Miss since the 2006 Conference USA championship game in Houston and the first regular season meeting in Houston since a 25-24 Cougar victory on November 13, 2005.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on September 24, but was rescheduled to November 13 when Southeast Texas as the Greater Houston area was threatened by Hurricane Rita.

Houston has won the last two games played at home, defeating both SMU 38-14 last Saturday and Texas Tech 29-28 on September 26.

The Cougars have never defeated Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. The only victory in Mississippi occurred on November 9, 1957 in Jackson, Mississippi.

In the first Conference USA encounter between the schools in 1996, the Cougars prevailed 56-49, in overtime. The Cougars would go on to win its first Conference USA title with the win over Louisville.

Weather in Houston is projected to be sunny, clear and mild; with the temperature in the mid-60s. There is no chance of rain. Game time is set for noon CST.

UH Swimming, Diving Drops Dual Competition Against Duke, Georgia Tech

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA (October 30, 2009) University of Houston swimming and diving team dropped duals against Duke and Georgia Tech Friday night at the Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion in Durham, N.C.

The Blue Devils topped the Cougars with a score of 188-110 and Georgia Tech came away with the 179-119 win. This was the first ever competition between the two schools in the pool.

Despite dropping the team scores, Houston still competed tough and finished with three pool records and six individual event wins.

"It was an outstanding meet overall," head coach Mark Taylor said. "We just need more depth to be able to finish off our competition. I was excited about our times today and I look forward to being able to compete against two good schools tomorrow."
Today was a learning experience and we swam against two great universities."

Continuing her domination on the diving board, senior Anastasia Pozdniakova set pool records in both the 1- and 3-meter competitions. The Russia native finished with an NCAA `A' mark of 344.85 in the 1-meter competition. She followed that up with a 368.25 finish in the 3-meter competition for another `A' mark.

Freshman Jessalyn Almond rounded out the diving competition with a 254.15 mark in the 3-meter and a 259.60 fifth-place finish in the 1-meter competition. Her 1-meter score was a NCAA `B' mark.

Sophomore Beccy Hillis set a third pool record at the competition. She turned in a first place finish of 2:16.80 in the 200-yard breaststroke, which was also an NCAA `B' time. After turning in a pool record finish in the 200-yard breaststroke, Hillis followed that up with a win of 1:04.03 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Freshmen Christine Salinas (10th), Holli Pisarski (11th) and Catherine Finley (12th) also competed in the event.

Ironically, Houston's three pool record set on the afternoon push the Houston total to five at the Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion. In 1978, Duke hosted the AIAW National Championship and Diane Johannigman set the pool record in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly and those records still stand today.

Freshman Reka Kovacs added another Cougar win with her 2:07.02 finish in the 200-yard IM. Hillis was fourth (2:09.88) and sophomore Natalie Newcomb was 11th (2:15.46) in the 200-yard IM.

Kovacs added a fourth place finish of 10:23.76 in the 1,000-yard freestyle. Newcomb was sixth (10:40.91) and sophomore Rachel Holcomb was ninth (11:36.12). Kovacs third event of the meet was a fourth place finish of 2:04.71 in the 200-yard backstroke. Freshman Kimmie Ballo turned in an eighth place finish (2:08.08) and sophomore Rachel Johnson was 11th (2:32.83).

Houston also recorded a win in the 200-yard freestyle when sophomore Kimberley Eeson turned in a 1:51.83 finish, while sophomore Olga Bordatcheva was 10th with a finish of 1:59.78. Eeson added a third place finish in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.13 and was followed in ninth by freshman Christine Salinas and Bordatcheva in 11th.

Eeson was also third in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:01.75. Bordatcheva trailed her in 10th (5:22.04) and Holcomb was 11th (5:44.01).

Senior Jessica Shamburger finished in second place in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.04. Teammates, freshman Kimmie Ballo and Johnson turned in 10th (1:01.00) and 11th (1:09.90) place finishes respectively.

The trio of junior Andrea Kells, Newcomb and Holcomb finished eighth, ninth and 10th in the 200-yard butterfly. Shamburger turned in an eighth place finish in the 50-yard butterfly, while Salinas was ninth and Pisarski was 11th. Kells was also eighth in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.71 and Ballo was 10th (1:03.58).

Houston's 400-yard medley relay team of Shamburger, Hillis, Kells and Eeson finished second with a time of 3:50.32. The `A' relay team of Shamburger, Salinas, Ballo and Kovacs were fifth in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:40.55 and the `B' team of Pisarski, Bordatcheva, Kells and Johnson were eighth (3:54.34).

Houston will be back in action at 10 a.m. tomorrow for duals against UNC-Wilmington and Emory.

Cougars Kick off vs. Golden Eagles, at Noon, Saturday, at Robertson Stadium

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 29, 2009) It will be an exciting time on the University of Houston campus this weekend as the 15th-ranked Cougar Football team plays host to Conference USA rival Southern Miss.

The Cougars kick off at noon, Saturday, against the Golden Eagles on John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. However, prior to Saturday's game, fans will have plenty of chances for fun and excitement around the stadium.

TRICK OR TREATING Children and their parents are invited to get a head start on trick-or-treating prior to Saturday's game. Children are invited to wear their scariest costumes to Robertson Stadium and can collect candy while treat-or-treating in Tailgate Village. In addition, prizes will be awards to those wearing the best costumes.

UH DAY
Saturday's game will be part of UH Day at Robertson Stadium. Students from any University of Houston satellite campus will be admitted free with a valid ID.

PREGAME
• The Cougar Walk will take place at 10 a.m. on the west side of the stadium (Scott Street) in Tailgate Village. Fans are invited to take part and welcome the Cougar Football team as players arrive at the stadium and make their way to the locker room.

• Cougar Authentic will not be open in the Athletics/Alumni Center on Saturday morning. Locations outside Gate 7 and Gate 8 will open at 9 a.m. Saturday's Item of the Game will be select Nike hats for only $15.

• Actors from the Mary Poppins Broadway musical will perform the National Anthem.

• Houston alumnus and actor Lou Martini, Jr. will serve as honorary captain. Martini has appeared on The Sopranos, Law and Order and The Godfather during his career.

• As part of the third annual Thanks for Giving campaign, fans can deliver non-perishable food items to the Star of Hope Mission truck at Gate 7.


COUGAR FUN ZONE
For young fans, the Cougar Fun Zone is a great chance to play games and visit with current Cougar student-athletes. The Cougar Fun Zone is located in Tailgate Village near Gate 7 on the Scott Street side of Robertson Stadium.

Players from the Houston softball team will be in the Fun Zone, playing games with young fans, signing autographs and helping with face painting.

AT HALFTIME
The Spirit of Houston will entertain with a special Halloween performance.

ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE INFORMATION
The Athletics Ticket Office will be open from 8 a.m., to 10 a.m., Saturday, in its first-floor office at the Athletics/Alumni Center. Officials will sell tickets at Gate 4 and Gate 11 at Robertson Stadium, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The will call window is located between Gate 9 and Gate 10 at Robertson Stadium.

The Students Gate will open at 10 a.m., while gates for the general public will open at 10:30 a.m.

To order tickets before the game, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Office (located on the first floor of the Athletics/Alumni Center, 3100 Cullen Blvd.), or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.

Fans always can purchase tickets to UH events, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by visiting UHCougars.com and clicking the Tickets link.

Houston Jumps Out to 24-3 Lead at Halftime Over SMU

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 24, 2009) The Houston Cougars have jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead over Conference USA rival SMU at Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

Play was virtually identical with the deference being third down conversions. Houston was able to convert 5 of 9, while SMU failed on seven attempts.

Houston first got on the scoreboard with a 20-yard Charles Sims run up the middle and a Matt Hogan kick to make the score 7-0.

With 1:58 left in the first quarter, quarterback Case Keenum handed the ball to Bryce Beall, who barreled into the end zone for the Cougars’ second touchdown. Hogan again kicked the conversion to make the score 14-0 at the end of 15 minutes.

At 12:44 left in the 2nd quarter, Hogan booted a 22 yard field goal to take the score 17-0.

SMU came back at 8:05 with a Matt Szymanski field goal from the 27 yard line to get the Mustangs’ first score.

Houston closed out the half on a 7 yard pass from Keenum to Patrick Edwards for their final score of the half.

Houston hit locker room at halftime leading 24-3, with 206 total yards of offense, 12 first downs, and 4 out of 4 red-zone scores.

HOUSTON COUGARS FACE OFF AGAINST SMU

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 24, 2009) The Houston Cougars look to improve on their 1-1 Conference USA record tonight as they take on rival SMU at Robertson Stadium.

Houston, who is coming off a 44-16 win over Tulane last Saturday and a 58-41 loss to UTEP on October 3, is 5-1 for the season.

SMU, who is 2-0 in conference play and 3-3 for the season, is coming off a 38-35 overtime loss to Navy. They have previously defeated University of Alabama at Birmingham 35-33 on September 12 and East Carolina 28-21 two weeks ago to lead Conference USA.

The Mustangs will have a tough time against Houston, who is averaging 44 points and 431 yards offensively a game.

Tonight’s game is the fifth straight season UH and SMU have faced off. Houston has won three straight in the current series and six of the last seven. Houston is 2-1 against the Mustangs in Robertson Stadium.

The Cougars and Mustangs met on a neutral field on November 26, 1983, when they played in the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan.

The last four meetings against SMU have been decided in the fourth quarter, with Houston rallying for wins in 2006, ands 2008, holding on for a win in 2007 and losing a lead in 2005.

While members of the now defunct Southwest Conference, Houston posted a 10-7-1 record against SMU.

Houston and SMU have only met twice while not conference foes; on September 27, 1975, in a game SMU won 26-16, and September 20, 2000, in which the Cougars won 17-15.

Game time is set for 6:34pm CDT and will be broadcast on CBS College Sports.

USA Gymnastics Names Teams for 2009 World Championships

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (October 5, 2009) 2008 Olympic team silver-medalist and 2009 U.S. all-around champion Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind., Sharp's Gymnastics; Rebecca Bross of Plano, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics; Ivana Hong of Lovejoy, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics; and Kayla Williams of Nitro, W.V., Gym Nest Inc., will represent the United States on the U.S. Women’s Team at the 2009 World Championships, Oct. 13-18, in London, England.

The alternates are Kytra Hunter of Frederick, Md., Hill's Gymnastics and Mackenzie Caquatto, Naperville, Ill., Naperville Gymnastics Club.

The format for this year’s World Championships features all-around and individual event competition. The U.S. Women’s Team was selected based on performances at the 2009 Visa Championships in Dallas, Texas, and two U.S. Women’s Team Selection Camps, which were held at USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team Training Center in Huntsville, Texas.

Sloan, a member of the 2008 silver-medal winning Olympic Team, won her first U.S. all-around title, as well as the uneven bars and floor exercise crowns, at the 2009 Visa Championships in August. 2008 Olympic Team alternate Hong finished a close second in the all-around and won the U.S. balance beam title. 2007 U.S. junior champion Bross was third in the all-around. Williams won the vault title at the 2009 Visa Championships.

The competition will be held at the O2, the gymnastics venue at the 2012 Olympic Games. Qualification rounds determine advancement to the all-around and apparatus finals. The top 24 men and women compete in the all-around finals on Oct. 15-16. For individual events, the top eight on each apparatus from the qualification rounds advance to the finals (Oct. 17-18).

The U.S. Men’s Team for the World Championships was named earlier and is comprised of: Jake Dalton, Sparks, Nev./University of Oklahoma; Wes Haagensen, Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Olympic Training Center; Jonathan Horton, Houston/Cypress Gymnastics Academy; Steven Legendre, Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma; Danell Leyva, Miami/Universal Gymnastics; and Tim McNeill, Falls Church, Va./University of California – Berkeley.

UH Soccer Notches First Tie of the Season Against SMU in Double Overtime

DALLAS, TEXAS (October 5, 2009) In a televised match by CBS College Sports, the University of Houston soccer team notched its first tie of the season in double overtime against the SMU Mustangs Sunday afternoon on Westcott Field.

The knot puts Houston at 3-7-1, 1-2-1 on the season and SMU records a 4-6-1, 1-2-1. With the all-time series standing at 0-9-1 in SMU’s favor, this is the first time in program history that the Mustangs were not able to garner a win over the Cougars.

On the verge of a scoreless first half, the Mustangs broke the deadlock at the 39:42 mark when freshman midfielder Allegra Nigh collected the rebound off a free kick and sent the ball into the net.

After play resumed, Houston tied the game in the 81st minute when senior defender Stephanie Beyelia passed to the top of the box to freshman midfielder Avery Blasi who put the ball in the top corner of the net. Blasi recorded her second goal of the season while Beyelia tallied her first career assist.

The score remained a stalemate for the duration of the game, as neither team was able to draw more blood in the first or second overtime period.

The Cougars return home next weekend for their last home stand of the season. The campaign features four games - three will be played on soccer's home field, Robertson Stadium, with the last tilt at the Carl Lewis Complex, the team's practice facility.

Men’s Hoops Schedule Announced; Lumberjacks to play 16 home games in 2009-10

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS (September 23, 3009) The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team announced its 2009-10 schedule Wednesday, and the slate includes 16 home games, which ties for the program’s heaviest home schedule since the 1985-86 season. The 16-game Johnson Coliseum ledger includes the four-team Etech Lumberjack Classic in December and a November match-up with Texas Tech.

“I was very pleased to finally come up with a schedule that gives us a good number of home games,” said SFA head coach Danny Kaspar. “Certainly, the Etech Lumberjack Classic helped us in a huge way, in that respect. Having Texas Tech come to Nacogdoches is also a big thing and should be a huge draw with our fans. I think season-ticket holders will get their money’s worth this year.”

The 16 home games tie with the Lumberjacks’ 2003-04 total for the most in Kaspar’s tenure at SFA.

SFA will host Northwest Oklahoma State in an exhibition game on Nov. 9, then begins the season in earnest on Nov. 16 with a road game against Big 10 team Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 2008-09 season that saw them post a 22-11 record, finishing seventh in the Big 10 and earning a trip to the NCAA Championships.

The Lumberjacks follow that game up with three straight home contests. SFA will entertain Jackson State on Nov. 21 then host Texas Tech on Nov. 24 before wrapping up the home stand with a Nov. 28 game against Huston-Tillotson. The game against Texas Tech will mark the first home contest against a Big 12 foe since SFA hosted the Red Raiders in the 1999-2000 season. The meeting will mark the third straight season for the ’Jacks to square off with Texas Tech.

Following the home stand, SFA will take to the road for a rematch at Jackson State on Dec. 1, then return to Johnson Coliseum to host the inaugural Etech Lumberjack Classic. The four-team field includes Southland Conference foe Central Arkansas, as well as Southern and Cal State-Fullerton. The Lumberjacks will take on Southern on Dec. 4, then square off with Cal State-Fullerton on Dec. 5. This marks the first time in 33 years for SFA to host a classic. The Tall Pines Classic in 1976-77 was the last regular-season tournament held in the Coliseum.

“I’m very appreciative to Etech and their organization for agreeing to sponsor our ’Classic,” Kaspar said. “This is a great example of how help from the community can assist us in creating a first-class, successful basketball program.”

The ’Jacks will travel to Farmville, Va., on Dec. 12 for the program’s first game against Longwood, then travel to take on Arkansas on Dec. 19. The game will mark the third time in four years for SFA to meet the Razorbacks.

The ’Jacks finish off their non-conference schedule with three straight home games. SFA hosts East Central Oklahoma on Dec. 22, Wiley College on Dec. 30, and Texas College on Jan. 2.

SFA starts Southland play on Jan. 9 with a road game against rival Sam Houston State. The Lumberjacks’ SLC home slate includes meetings with Central Arkansas (Jan. 13), UT Arlington (Jan. 20), Southeastern Louisiana (Jan. 23), Nicholls (Feb. 3), Northwestern State (Feb. 10), McNeese State (Feb. 13), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 27) and UTSA (March 6).

The Southland Conference Tournament is set for March 9-13 at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

For ticket information, contact the SFA Ticket Office at (936) 468-JACK (5225).

SJC softball team dedicate Fall season to friend with cancer

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 22, 2009) The San Jacinto College (SJC) softball team is trading in their blue and white jerseys for pink Team Gabby T-shirts this Fall in honor of Gabby Romero, their friend who is battling cancer.

Romero, 17, was diagnosed with late stage renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) in June 2008. After enduring surgery, experimental drugs and chemotherapy for more than a year, Romero is now in hospice care. Family and friends are by her side, including best friend Nicole Andrade, who met Romero when the two played softball together at Dobie High School. Up until her diagnosis, Romero was a vivacious teenager who kept a busy schedule as a member of both the school’s softball and volleyball teams.

“We grew a bond really fast,” Andrade said, who now plays for the San Jacinto College softball team. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand why this is happening, but I know that I’m very lucky to have her in my life. I know people always say their parents are their heroes, but Gabby is mine.”

Through Andrade, the SJC softball team and Head Coach Kelly Saenz were recently introduced to Romero during a weekly home church service. After noticing many of her supporters wearing T-shirts in bright pink, Romero's favorite color, the team decided to hang up their jerseys and join Team Gabby.

“We’re a community college that’s here to help the community, and Gabby is a part of it,” Saenz said. “She’s a fellow softball player, and we consider her a part of our team.”

Playing the sport that brought them together is proving to be difficult, Andrade admits. However, she visits Romero’s home almost daily and receives some sound advice from her pal.

“She enjoys talking to me about my future,” Andrade said. “She encourages me to further my education, make my life a good one, and to keep playing softball. Gabby sends a message through her battle with cancer, and that is to live life to its fullest.”

Dibbern, Ivanova nab Region XIV player of the week honors

PASADENA, TEXAS (September 21, 2009) San Jacinto College freshmen Alyssa Dibbern and Nadejda Ivanova have been named the Region XIV player and setter of the week, respectively, for the week of Sept. 14 – 20, 2009.

Dibbern, a 6-3 hitter / middle blocker from Bay City (Bay City High School), was the North Central Texas Invitational Most Valuable Player this past weekend, guiding San Jac to six-straight wins and the tournament title. SJC also defeated Temple College last Monday and Galveston College on Wednesday to open conference play. In the week’s eight matches she tallied 60 kills on 116 swings with only 19 errors, hitting .394. She added 9.5 blocks and 12 aces for the week.

Ivanova was the league’s top setter averaging just under 11 assists per game in San Jac’s eight wins last week. Offensively, the 5-7 setter from Chicago (Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center) added seven kills with one error on 17 attempts, hitting .352. She also served up four aces and hit the floor for 42 digs (2.21 per game).

The eight wins last week gives 10th-ranked San Jacinto College a 17-4 overall record, 1-0 in conference play. San Jac returns home this week to face Lee College on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. All volleyball home games are played on the San Jacinto College Central campus, located at 8060 Spencer Highway in Pasadena.

McNeese Golf to Play in UTA Classic

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 20, 2009) McNeese State's golf team opens its fall season by playing in the UTA Classic at the Waterchase Golf Course in Ft. Worth, TX on Monday and Tuesday.

Making up the Cowboy team will be Ben Suarez, David Wiggins, Corey Halsell, Derek Bonvillain and Dayton Bordelon.

Suarez led a five round qualifying tournament over the past two weeks by shooting one under par 359 while Wiggins was at 361 and Halsell at 363. Wiggins, Halsell and Bonvillain all posted the low single round, a three under 69.

UTA's tournament calls for 36 holes to be played on Monday and 18 on Tuesday.

It’s going to be a good tournament for the Cowboys to start off in. UTA is one of the stronger teams in the conference and the field will be 17 teams including seven other squads from the Southland.

Other teams entered are Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist, Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State, Oklahoma Christian, Rice, Sam Houston State, SFA, Texas State, UT San Antonio,UC Irvine,UC Riverside,UNO, Wichita State, North Texas and Western Kentucky.

McNeese State Downs Savannah State 56-0

McNeese's Kentrell Bulter scores on a 44-yard interception return with 14 seconds left in the third quarter. (Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2009, All Right Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 19, 2009) Jumping out to a 28 point lead in the first quarter, number 8 McNeese State totally dominated a weak Savannah State squad, defeating the Tigers 56-0in the first game ever between the two schools.

Lead by running back Todd Pendland and quarterback Derrick Fourroux, the Cowboys raced out to a 42-0 lead at the half.

Pendland (Newton High School, Newton, Texas) gained 109 yards on offense and Fourroux (Erath High School, Erath, Louisiana) threw for three touchdowns; all in the first half, before head coach Matt Viator pulled them.

McNeese first got on the board on a fumble recovery by defensive end Desmun Lighten (Ouachita High School, Monroe, Louisiana) to take the score to 7-0, with the Matt Polansky kick.

The Cowboys followed up with a touchdown runs by Pendland; Fourroux 68-yard touchdown pass to Chris Royal and a second passing touchdown to Friddle to close out the first quarter.

Pendland added a 41-yard run to score his second touchdown with 5:33 left in the half. Fourroux flicked a four-yard pass to tight end Corday Clark (Glen Oaks High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) to close out the first half.

In the second half, tight end Elrick Jones (Clear Lake High School, Houston, Texas) got in on the scoring with a 4-yard run, followed 1:18 later with a 44-yard interception touchdown by linebacker Kentrel Butler (Patterson High School, Patterson, Louisiana).

Placekicker Josh Lewis (Denham Springs, High School, Denham, Louisiana) was 6-6 on PATs and Matt Polansky (Barbe High School, Lake Charles, Louisiana) went 2-2.

The Cowboys dominated almost every statistic, with 21 first downs to nine for Savannah State.

McNeese had 489 yards of total offense (288 rushing and 201 passing) while limiting Savannah State to 138 total yards.

The Cowboys are now 3-0 on the season while Savannah State falls to 1-2. McNeese will next face Tulane University in New Orleans, while Savannah State travels to Concordia College on October 3.

Attendance for the game was 13,912.

McNeese State Faces Savannah State in Non-Conference Game

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 19, 2009) The top two running backs in the nation will be on display tonight when McNeese State hosts Savannah State in a FCS non-conference game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Cowboy Stadium.

No. 8 ranked McNeese is 2-0 on the season and coming off a 40-35 road victory over then No.2 ranked Appalachian State while Savannah is 1-1 and dropped a three point decision to Alabama State last week.

Toddrick Pendland, who has been instrumental in McNeese’s two victories this season, ranks No. 4 in the nation with a 139.5 yards per game average while Justin Babb has been just as significant in the Savannah offense as he’s averaging 153.5 yards per game rushing and is ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Pendland, a senior from Newton, TX, became the first Cowboy to ever run for more than 100 yards and catch passes for more than 100 yards in a single game when he did it in McNeese’s win over Appalachian State. For his effort he was named the national player of the week by The Sports Network. He also enters the game as the nation’s leading scorer with a 17 point per game average. He scored 20 points against Appalachian.

The Cowboy offense, which netted 522 total yards against Appalachian State, is also led by quarterback Derrick Fourroux. He’s been a solid performer under center in the first two games, completing 69 percent of his passes for 525 yards and four tds and averaging 304 yards per game total offense.

Savannah alternates a pair of quarterbacks, Kurvin Curry who has completed 17 of 28 passes for 225 yards and A. J. DeFilippis who has hit on 10 of 14.

McNeese’s lead receivers are Pendland, wide out Chad Davis and tight ends Corday Clark and Wes Mangan. Pendland has caught 14 passes for 155 yards and two tds, Davis has seven catches for 118 yards, Clark six catches for 137 yards and a score and Mangan five for 29 yards and a td.

Savannah State has one of the nation’s top 10 running games as the Tigers are averaging 237.5 yards a contest.

In its first two games this season, McNeese produced game winning scores late in the contest. Fourroux went over from four yards out in the final minute of play in the 27-24 triumph over Henderson State and rookie place kicker Josh Lewis booted an 18 yard field goals with only four seconds left to give the Cowboys the winning points against Appalachian State.

Next week the Cowboys travel to New Orleans to tackle Tulane and will then have an open date before starting Southland Conference play on Oct. 10 on the road against Stephen F. Austin.

COWBOY NOTES: McNeese will recognize most valuable athletes from the 2008-09 season at halftime of Saturday’s game. Those MVPs were John Pichon in men’s basketball, Shante’ Perry in women’s basketball, Toddrick Pendland in football, Kamryn Koch in soccer, Bethany Stefinsky in softball, Sarah Cartie in volleyball, Victoria Martinez in tennis,Taylor Freeman in baseball, Cory Vincent in men’s golf, Maggie Welch in women’s golf, Ben Chretien in men’s track and DeAnn Washington in women’s track.

FORMER COWBOYS AGAINST EACH OTHER: Former Cowboys Quinten Lawrence, Luke Lawton and Adam Henry will go against each other this weekend when Kansas City and Oakland meet in a NFL football game. Lawrence is a wide receiver and kick returner for Kansas City while Lawton plays fullback and Henry is the tight ends coach for Oakland.

H2O Frogs Release 2009-10 Schedule

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (September 14, 2009) TCU swimming and diving head coach Richard Sybesma announced the schedule for the 2009-10 season on Wednesday. The 14-meet schedule consists of four home meets that will be held at the University Recreation Center.

"I am excited about our schedule," said Sybesma. "It is highly competitive and will be fun to race with some of the best teams in the country."

The Horned Frogs will open the season with the North Texas Relays on Oct. 9 in Mansfield, Texas. The men will take on SMU and Incarnate Word, while the women will face North Texas, SMU, Tulane and Incarnate Word.

After a 13-day break, the women will return to action on Oct. 22 in Fort Collins, Colo., in a dual meet against Mountain West Conference opponent Colorado State. Last season, TCU snapped the Rams' four-meet unbeaten streak with a decisive 128-115 victory in Fort Worth.

The following day, the men will open the season alongside the women against MWC foe Air Force in Colorado Springs. The H2O Frogs return to the Academy for the second-straight year after splitting with the Falcons a year ago.

After hosting the annual Homecoming Alumni meet on Oct. 31, the H2O Forgs will travel to the west coast to battle against another conference rival, San Diego State, along with UC San Diego, Univ. of San Diego and Idaho on Nov. 6. TCU has won three of the four meetings with the Aztecs since joining the league in 2005-06.

The first conference home meet will take place 15 days later on Nov. 21, as the Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls will travel to Fort Worth. The Frogs will look to avenge a pair of losses in Laramie last season.

Selected members of the swimming squad will participate in the 2009 U.S. Short Course National Championships in Federal Way, Wash., Dec. 3-6, before wrapping
up the 2009 portion of the schedule at the Chesapeake Elite Pro-Am in Oklahoma
City on Dec. 19-20. The divers will conclude their fall semester in Austin,
Texas for the Texas Invite, Dec. 3-5.

The team will return to practice on Dec. 29, in preparation of opening the
spring season with a two-meet weekend in the Beehive State. TCU will travel to
Provo, Utah, to take on BYU on Jan. 7, before heading to Salt Lake City to
challenge Utah on Jan. 9.

The women return home for a meet against North Texas on Jan. 15, before hosting
New Mexico on Jan. 22. TCU owns a 13-1 overall record against the Mean Green and
have never lost to the Lobos in five meets, including a 127-106 victory last
season.

After both teams travel to Shreveport, La., on Jan. 30 to face Centenary, the
squad's will return home and close out the regular season with "Senior Day"
against UNLV Feb. 6.

Postseason action will begin on Feb. 24-27 with the MWC Championships at the
natatorium on the campus Oklahoma City Community College. The Purple and White
have scheduled a last chance meet, competing in the Austin Grand Prix on March
4. From above, the divers will head to the Zone "D" Diving Meet in College
Station, Texas, March 12-14.

The Women's NCAA Championships will be held March 18-20 in West Lafayette, Ind.,
while the Men's NCAA Championships will run from March 25-27 in Columbus, Ohio.

Pendland Leads McNeese to 40-35 Win Over Appalachian State

(Photo courtesy of McNeese State University Sports Information Department)

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 13, 2009) The 20 points McNeese State senior Toddrick Pendland scored in the Cowboys 40-35 victory over Appalachian State last Saturday made him the FCS national scoring leader after two weeks.

That was the information passed along by the NCAA in its culmination of statistics from over the weekend. Pendland has now scored 34 points on the year for an average of 17 points per game, leading both the nation and the Southland Conference.

The Newton, TX native also ranks among the top five in the nation in all-purpose running and in rushing.

He’s third in all-purpose running with a 221.0 yards per game average and he’s fourth in rushing with 279 yards and a 139.5 game average.

But, that’s not all for the reigning SLC offensive player of the year. Pendland is also tied for 16th in pass receptions per game with a 7.0 mark on 14 catches in two games, is 44th in pass receiving yards per game with 77.5 yards a contest and he’s 78th in total offense with a 139.5 average.

Teammate and Cowboy quarterback Derrick Fourroux who has led McNeese to a 2-0 record, ranks 12th in the nation in total offense with a 304 average, is 18th in passing efficiency with a 160.86 mark and is tied for 78th in scoring with 12 points and a 6.0 average.

Also for the Cowboys, tight end Corday Clark, who is coming off a six catch, 137 yard performance against Appalachian State, is tied for 55th in receiving yards per game with 68.5 and Chad Davis is tied for 77 with a 59 yard average.

Freshman Champlain Babin is 22nd in kickoff return average with a 28.2 mark, and rookie Josh Lewis, whose 18 yard field goal provided the winning points against Appalachian, is tied for 58th in field goals.

As a team, the Cowboys rank among the nation’s top 20 teams in rushing offense (19th at 193.5 per game), are 17th in passing offense (262.5 ypg), 13th in total offense (456 ypg), 19th in passing efficiency (158.14) and tied for ninth in sacks allowed (0.5 per game).

In the Southland Conference team statistics, McNeese is No. 1 in rushing offense and sacks allowed and No. 2 in kickoff return average and turnover margin while Pendland is the leader in rushing, scoring and all-purpose running and Babin is second in kickoff returns.

The Cowboys, now 2-0 on the season, return to action Saturday when they host Savannah State in a 7 p.m. contest at Cowboy Stadium.

FINA REPORTS: No Positive Drug Tests at Wolrd Championships

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (September 13, 2009) FINA, the international federation for swimming, diving and water polo, has reported than no athlete failed a doping test conducted at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Rome.

It has been reported that 391 tests were conducted; including 252 swimmers, 76 water polo players, 33 divers, 30 open water swimmers and 11 competitors in synchronized swimming.

FINA does not store sample for future testing, as do some other international sports federations, but is considering doing so in the future.

The championships saw 43 world records fall during the 19-day championships, mostly due to high tech suits. The suits will be banned at all levels of competitive swimming by the end of the year.

American Michael Phelps and Italy’s Federica Pellegrini were selected as the best male and female swimmers of the championships.

Phelps won five gold and one silver medal, in addition to setting two individual world records in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter butterfly at the bi annual event.

Pellegrini won two golds and set three world marks in the 200 and 400 freestyle.

PRAIRIE VIEW BATTLES TO THE END IN CLOSE LOSS TO NEW MEXICO STATE

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO (September 12, 2009) A furious fourth quarter rally fell short as the Prairie View A&M Panthers dropped a 21-18 decision to New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening.

Prairie View, which hasn’t played a Football Bowl Subdivision school since 1979, scored its first points in school history against an FBS school after Brady Faggard recorded a 30-yard field goal with 9:55 left in the first quarter. A 47-yard run by junior running back Donald Babers helped put the Panthers in scoring position.

Down 3-0, New Mexico State (1-1) answered with its first scoring drive of the game as they went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a Jeff Fleming 10-yard run. The PAT was good as the Aggies led 7-3. With 4:58 left in the first half, NMSU upped its lead to 13-3 after Fleming drove the Aggies 67 yards in 12 plays. On the ensuing drive, Prairie View moved into scoring position as the first half came to an end but a Jay Bluford interception killed the drive.

After a scoreless third quarter by both teams, NMSU jumped back into the scoring column as they took advantage of several Panther penalties early in the fourth stanza. Once again, NMSU put together another long drive that spanned 12 plays en route to a 21-3 lead via a Marquell Colston 4-yard scamper.

Down 18 points, backup quarterback KJ Black injected life into the Panther offense as the Western Kentucky transfer relied on his feet to make things happen. Black scored on a 9-yard run with 6:03 left for PV’s first touchdown of night. Faggard’s PAT sailed through the uprights to cut NMSU’s lead to 21-10. After a defensive stop by the Panthers, Black went vertical and moved the Panthers into scoring position after connecting on several big passes. Black cut into NMSU’s lead once again with his first career touchdown pass as a Panther after connecting with Anthony Weeden for a 27-yard pass. PV went for the two-point conversion and trailed 21-18 after Black scampered in the end zone.

With less than three minutes left, NMSU converted a key third down conversion and ultimately iced the game as PV ran short of timeouts.

Prairie View finished the game with 365 yards of total offense while NMSU finished with 305. Babers led the Panthers with 118 yards rushing followed by 92 from Michael Jason. Black topped all passers with 101 yards on 12 of 14 passing with one touchdown.

The Panthers return to action in three weeks on Oct. 3 against Grambling State in the annual State Fair Classic in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl.