2008 Woodie Awards
Sports Update
George Pike
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USC PULLS HALLOWEEN PRANK
University of Southern California football Head Coach Pete Carroll coaxed running back LenDale White into doing a prank last Monday, Oct. 31.
White was kicked out of practice, apparently quitting the team. Then, a few minutes later White was seen on top of a four-story science building next to the practice field. He yelled profanity at the team during the practice. Then, White jumped from the building, only to be determined that it was in fact a dummy wearing White's jersey. Many USC players were shocked to learn of the plot. Coach Carroll said afterwards to White, "Well done. We killed them."
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL NEWS BRIEFS
NFL great Brett Favre threatened to retire if the Green Bay Packers fire their head coach, Mike Sherman. The Packers are currently 1-7 this season.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.
NHL SEES SCORING RISE
The National Hockey League, in an effort to win back fans, changed the rules, and is seeing benefits. The whole 2004-05 season was pre-empted due to a labor strike, but both the players' union and the owners managed to make a deal for the new season. So far this year, goals have increased 28 percent in comparison to the total at the same time in the 2003-04 season.
Each game, on average, has had 6.9 goals scored, almost two more goals per game than the previous year. The rule changes included allowing two line passes and extending the penalty space. "Hockey is entertaining," according to former NHL legend Wayne Gretzy.
LIST OF UNBEATENS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL WHITTLES DOWN
Locally, both the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers won on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Beavers held on in Seattle to defeat the Washington Huskies 18-10, with all 18 Beavers points coming courtesy of the leg of kicker Alexis Serna. The Ducks upended the No. 23 California Bears in Eugene in overtime by a 27-20 margin in their first game without injured star quarterback Kellen Clemens.
On a national level, only three major college football teams remain unbeaten for the season: top-ranked USC (9-0), second-ranked Texas (9-0) and fourth-ranked Alabama (9-0). Third-ranked Virginia Tech and seventh-ranked UCLA both dropped from the ranks of unbeatens last Saturday. The Miami Hurricanes stomped Virginia Tech 27-7 and the Arizona Wildcats embarrassed UCLA in Tucson finishing 52-14.
HARRINGTON RETURNS AS LIONS LEADER
Central Catholic High School and Oregon Ducks alumnus Joey Harrington returned as starting quarterback of the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 6, after a two-week absence due to being benched. Jeff Garcia could not go for the Lions, so Detroit Head Coach Steve Mariucci turned to Harrington for a match up against the Minnesota Vikings. Harrington finished 28 of 48 for 263 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble.
"Our offense isn't doing what it's supposed to be doing," Harrington said. The Lions fell to 3-5 overall after losing the game to Minnesota 27-14.
THE BIG "ARISTOTLE" IS OUT
Center Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat rolled his right ankle in action against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, Nov. 3, and will be sidelined for an estimated two to four weeks.
The 7-foot-1, 340-pound O'Neal was trying to get an offensive rebound when he stepped on opponent Ron Artest's foot and fell over. The Heat lost the game 105-102. Alonzo Mourning will be Miami's starting center in O'Neal's absence.
SURPRISES EARLY ON IN NBA SEASON
The New York Knicks, which brought in the master of all coaches, Larry Brown, are 0-3 after dropping their Sunday, Nov. 6, game to Golden State 83-81. The Milwaukee Bucks are 3-0 behind the great play of guard Michael Redd and the Los Angeles Clippers are also 3-0. The Clippers, behind Cuttino Mobley and Elton Brand, are off to their best start since the 1985-86 season.
The Portland Trail Blazers avoided a 0-3 start thanks to Zach Randolph making one of two free throws to end the game against Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Blazers won 94-93.